BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. 67 



ridge sideboard if he could help it. There was one element in 

 the affair that favoured him. He knew the line of country, and 

 if the moon behaved herself, there was no danger of his going 

 on the wrong side of the flags. 



Squire Whinridge was conferring with Hartbrook in a private 

 room. 



' Now, Mark, attend to me. I shall want you to help me 

 through with this business. What are you smiling at, you 

 knave ? I suppose you think your old master has lost his head 

 again. No, no ; I mean to show you all, as well as that flashy 

 Captain down-stairs, that I know what I am about. Where is 

 Crowe ?' 



' Awaiting your orders.' 



' And Appletart ? — O, I can guess. With his mouth in the 

 manger.' He rang the bell peremptorily. ' Tell Crowe,' he said 

 to the neat-handed Phillis who obeyed the summons, ' to tie up 

 Appletart's head at once, and then come to me.' 



* Why, sir, you surely don't — ' 



* Have a care, or you'll head the fox. I do mean to run 

 Appletart, if that is what you are aiming at. He was a bad 

 third to-day, but his jockey did not ride him out for a place, or 

 else I think he might have been second. However, we'll dis- 

 cover to-night whether the weights won't just bring the pair 

 together.' 



* But, sir— the jockey ?' 



' Ha ! that's where you are, is it ? Well, I own that the 

 jockey is rather an important feature in the case. Tell me— 

 what do you think of me for the mount ?' 



' You, sir !' replied Hartbrook, with an expression of horror. 

 ' Why, you would be done by the length of a street. You ride 

 fifteen stone if you ride an ounce.' 



' No, no, no ! Not as bad as that, Mark. However, wait. 

 The jockey will be ready, never fear. The moon rises at eleven, 

 and we have therefore nearly six hours to look about us. By 

 this time Crowe will have abridged Appletart's supper. Look 

 in, and then send here.' 



Mark was nonplussed, as he told his wife when he returned 

 to the snuggery. Squire Whinridge playing the very deuce and 

 destroying things, he could understand ; but Squire Whinridge 

 going about in thai business-like manner, he could not under- 

 stand. 



' He must have his knife pretty deep in this Captain Dykely, 



