"Very well, listen. I became so fascinated by that splendid reddish horse with its elegant little rider, so tastefully dressed in pink satin jacket and cap, that I found myself practically praying for them to win, as if half my fortune depended on it. When I saw them pass all the others and reach the finish line in such magnificent style, I actually clapped my hands with joy!
"Imagine my surprise when I returned home, the first thing I encountered on the staircase was that very jockey in the pink jacket! I assumed by some coincidence that the winning horse's owner must live in my hotel. But when I entered my apartment, I found the actual gold cup awarded as the prize sitting there! Inside was a small note that read: 'From Lord Ruthven to Countess G.'"
"Exactly!" said Morcerf. "I knew it!"
"Knew what?"
"That the horse's owner was Lord Ruthven himself."
"Which Lord Ruthven?"
"Ours, the Vampire from our Italian adventure!"
