266 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



the grand entrance for admission, and disturbing him at 

 such an hour. " But," he said, " you told me, Sir, 

 whenever I detected any of your keepers catching foxes, 

 I was to give you immediate information of it, and I 

 knew as the keepers had gone round to the back of the 

 house, there would be little chance of my gaining an 

 admittance in that quarter. I hope I have not offended 

 you. Sir ?" " By no means, Jim ; your master has often 

 expressed to me the high opinion he has of your conduct 

 generally, and I fully appreciate an honest and trust- 

 worthy servant." 



Jim's story was soon told. The master desired him to 

 go into the housekeeper's room for refreshment, whilst 

 he wrote me a few lines ; but this offer of hospitality was 

 politely declined, as Jim suspected his beer might be 

 hocussed, at the suggestion of the keeper and tall foot- 

 man. The few lines addressed to myself were to the 

 point, leaving the delinquent keepers at my disposal. 

 Other devices and tricks of these gentlemen in velveteen 

 I shall touch on in my next. 



