220 HIGHLAND SPORT 



in the hopes of meeting a few more of the big trout, while 

 Lewes sallied forth to stalk a blackcock or two for setting up. 

 The trouting was a failure ; Berks took a brace of good ones, 

 which was the total bag, and driven in by the incessant rain, we 

 were all soon seated round a good fire in the smoking-room. 



When the dressing-bell sounded for dinner, as Lewes had 

 not put in an appearance, we took it for granted he had gone 

 straight to his room. Berks and Patcham started to change, 

 while I stayed behind to finish a book, and, whilst thus left 

 alone, the butler entered and said — 



" Mr. Lewes desires me to say, sir, that he will be much 

 obliged if you would go up to him immediately." 



Of course I at once complied, but on knocking at his door 

 I found it locked, and in reply to the cry which announced my 

 presence, I heard him come slowly across the room to unfasten 

 the door, whilst he said in a low voice, " Come in quickly, Gee." 



Entering the room with misgivings already gathering in my 

 mind, I was horror-struck to see our friend had fallen back into 

 an armchair close to the door, and that, while his face was 

 deadly pale, his vest, shirt, and knickerbockers, which were of 

 a light colour, were covered with large stains of blood. With 

 a faint smile Lewes pointed with his right hand to his left arm, 

 and then I saw that the entire forepart had disappeared. 

 Hastening towards him, he looked quietly up into my face and 

 said — 



" It was all my own fault, Gee, but send for the doctor 

 quickly, and promise me not to let my mother know, or to 

 alarm the ladies in the house " ; and then the poor fellow 

 fainted. 



Sharply, but not furiously, I rang the bell, which luckily 

 the butler himself answered. Between us we lifted Lewes 

 on to his bed, where he soon regained sufficient consciousness 

 to swallow a good dose of whiskey. The butler, sworn to 

 secrecy, was then sent off to despatch a carriage for the doctor. 

 After a few minutes' thought, I saw it would be impossible to 



