CHAPTER III 



SINCE writing the foregoing chapters, certain 

 facts have come to my knowledge which have 

 quite shaken my belief in the harmlessness 

 and innocence of badgers as regards destruc- 

 tion of poultry ; indeed, I have received such 

 strong proofs of their guilt in this respect 

 from an unquestionable and unimpeachable 

 authority, that to my great regret I have to 

 admit a very strong case has been made out 

 against them. I am indebted to the courtesy 

 of Mr. J. P. Murray, of Welcombe, Bude, 

 for supplying me with information which forms 

 the basis of a severe indictment against them, 

 and I cannot do better than quote half-a- 

 dozen of the charges which this gentleman 



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