a
half to one
Did n't you see the race ? '' For a moment I simply could n't speak , but clasping the tighter my precious ticket , I swallowed heroically at the lump in my throat , while Murray , unmindful of my silence , continued . `` You see , Jack , after I left you , I got it straight from a friend of mine that Maid Marian was out of condition , which left the race , it seemed to me , a walk-over for Senator Irby . Well , it looked like a good chance to make a ` killin ' , ' and I put twenty on him at two and a half to one . Of course I could n't figure on getting nosed out by a hundred to one shot , but that 's the luck I always play in . Well , I 'll get it back on the third race ; I 've got a ` cinch ' in that . You understand though , Jack , '' he added , stopping suddenly , `` you have only a dollar 's interest in the losing -- I had no right to bet but $ 2 , as was originally agreed . ''