Hoof Beats 



and tried to open the gate. I noticed that his 

 chin barely rested on the top of it. 



"John," he called, "how do you open this gate? 

 It's padlocked." 



"You don't; you come over it." 



Rawdon's expression was worth much to see 

 then, and the glances of the others quite repaid me. 



"Here's the brush," I said in my best manner 

 holding up as much of it as I had been able to save. 

 "Quite a hot scent?" 



"Well, I'll be d — " said Rawdon, and looked at 

 the master. 



The journey home was something of a triumph 

 for me, and Cleopatra, having done her worst 

 trotted along verj^ demurely with the others. 



"That was a very nasty place where the hunts- 

 man and the master came down," said Rawdon; 

 "I didn't think Cleopatra had it in her. It's 

 where Smith broke his leg. You remember I 

 showed it to you on the way over." 



"The place where Smith — "and then I stopped. 



"What's wrong? feeling a little worn? you look 

 pale," Rawdon inquired solicitously. 



"Oh, no," I replied, "not a bit of it." 



"Glad to hear it," he went on, relieved. 

 "Thought it might have been too much for you 

 after you had not ridden for so many years. 

 You rode like a veteran." 

 46 



