290 COACHING. 



trate for assistance, and proceeded to Halston 

 to inform Mytton of the disgraceful state of 

 the country, when a man could be robbed 

 within a few yards of his lodge. 



" I'll send for the constable," said Mytton, 

 " a reward shall be offered, and no exertion 

 shall be wanting on my part to trace the scoun- 

 drel and get your property restored." 



The clergyman was brimming over with 

 gratitude, when the Squire continued. 



" Come and dine here to-morrow, and I'll 

 send an escort home with you. My keeper and 

 a watcher will be more than a match for any 

 two rascals that infest the road." 



The invitation was accepted, and in the mean- 

 time every exertion was made by the magis- 

 trate to discover the offenders. During dinner, 

 the conversation naturally turned upon the 

 bare-faced robbery. 



" I did not mind the fellows taking my money," 

 said the victim. " Albeit I could not well 

 afford to lose it, but what I felt deeply was 

 the loss of my watch. I would give any sum 

 in my power to recover it." 



At that moment the second course was put 

 on the table, for at the time I write of 

 diners a la Russe were unknown, and a large 



