io 4 CHASING AND RACING 



am not alluding to my own private secretary and bosom 

 pal, Ted Jaquet, who, as stated, acted as Field Master, 

 and who was so appointed by myself, but to Harvey 

 Fellowes, who in his day had been a member of the 

 All England Cricket XI, in company with dear old 

 " Uncle Punch " Burbidge, and who was, so the latter 

 declared, one of the fastest and deadliest bowlers he 

 had ever seen. 



Misfortunes seldom befall in single spies, but 

 generally descend in battalions, for it was at this junc- 

 ture that the props of my home were swept away by a 

 devastating cataclysm, and for years to come I was 

 plunged into a legal and psychological turmoil which 

 completely diverted the current of my hitherto happy- 

 go-lucky life. 



On this miserable phase of my existence I have no 

 wish to dwell. Sufficient to state that circumstances 

 compelled me to take action for divorce against my 

 wife, and that, as the lawyers on either side were intent 

 on plucking the pigeon to the last feather, the pro- 

 ceedings were painfully protracted for over three years 

 before a final issue was arrived at. 



Naturally enough, the matter was a public scandal, 

 and afforded food for every gossiping lip ; so that my 

 position as M.F.H. became untenable. Both my 

 domestic and my sporting establishments were broken 

 up. I sold my home and estate to the Duke of 

 Bedford, whilst my hounds and horses came under 

 hammer. 



