CHAPTER V 



THE PRODIGAL STAG 



PART I. LOST 



A BLACK day indeed ! In outward appear- 

 ances fair enough, but in results darkly 

 tragic. A misadventure such as may happen 

 to the luckiest of shikaris, a deception 

 sufficient to take in the wariest of stalkers. 



It was early in September, one of those 

 grey, calm days that betoken equable 

 weather ; the wind was a gentle south-west, 

 and all other circumstances were favourable. 

 The beat was the easiest on the forest, across 

 the loch to the south of the lodge. An old 

 bridle-path leads almost to the top of the 

 ridge, which is named the Ladies' Mount, and 

 most suitably so, for it is a real ladies' beat, 

 and after the wild high ground of the big 



