Charles Rathlyn bet everything on his horse to win, but sadly the horse stumbled on the last jump and Charles lost it all. Another owner, the wealthy widow Kate Waygold offered him a job as her racing manager, which he gratefully accepted. Then she proposed marriage, an offer he couldn't refuse without losing the security and privileged lifestyle he had been enjoying. When Kate died after a fall over the balustrade the story became a "did he or didn't he?" conundrum, amplified when her secretary apparently committed suicide. The detective investigating the case would have been delighted to put the noose around Charles' neck himself. This mystery was very well done. ( )