shining silver-buckled shoes, linen of superfine quality and whiteness,—I recall the glint of white jewels on his fingers. His hair was snow-white, and bound with a black ribbon; his spectacles were as two owl-like eyes.

p. 12

“Ha-ha!” the gentleman exclaimed, observing Tony and me in the grip of the keepers. “Whom have we here? Gentlemen of the road?”—and chuckled in a dry, crackling way.

“Poachers,—lads from the village, Mr. Bradbury, sir,” Tim growled, touching his hat. “These young dogs has been poachin’, and I be goin’ to dust their jackets, as they’ve needed dustin’ many a day. ’Twas them as frightened the hosses, an’ nigh broke your honour’s neck and the lad’s there. You’ve took no hurt, sir, I hopes and trusts.”

“None! None!” Mr. Bradbury answered, indifferently. “But my driver?”

“Well enough, sir, thank ’ee,” the fellow p. 13said, busying himself with the traces of the fallen horse. “No thanks to these young rascals.”

p. 13

“Ay! Ay! I’ll be walking on then to the hall,” said Mr. Bradbury, glancing at the ruined coach. “And I’ll leave you free, Tim Kerrick, to dust the jackets and whatsoever else of the attire of these lads as may occur to you.” He chuckled again, and pulled his flapping cloak about him.

“The road’s rough and broken with the rains, Mr. Bradbury,” said Tim. “As like as not you’ll be tumblin’ into the ditch, or missin’ your way. I’ll send one of my lads with you. Hey, you Dick, have you your lantern there?”

“Yes, I’ve it here, Mister Kerrick,” the keeper answered.

“Light it, lad, light it, and go along with Mr. Bradbury! Joe and me can finish our business with these varmint.”

The keeper, relinquishing me to Tim’s custody, lit his lantern, and stood forward to attend Mr. Bradbury, who, leaning on his cane, was scrutinising Tony and me.

“Show the light on this lad here,” said Mr. Bradbury, suddenly, pointing to me. As the light flashed on me, Mr. Bradbury peered at me through his spectacles; his face expressed nothing of his thought; shamefaced I stood p. 14before him. “What’s your name, boy?” Mr. Bradbury demanded, sharply.

p. 14

“John Howe, sir,” I answered.

 Prev. P 13/154 next