248 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



Neither man looked round for each expected the other to 

 do so. It was when a bend of the road made things safe 

 that Bill left the beaten track, and Alf proceeded to stalk 

 him. 



It took Diccox a considerable time to reach higher ground, 

 and then nothing was to be seen of Bill Hart. A few cattle 

 were scattered here and there in the vale below, a man was 

 cutting hay from a rick half a mile away, but otherwise there 

 was nothing moving. 



" Better get on to Casselton," Alf said, and was on the 

 point of moving when something away down below caught 

 his eye — a man, a man running with a long, steady stride, 

 going straight across the country. Alf saw him stop at a 

 fence, throw something over, and make a slight detour to 

 some rails, then back and on again. 



" Must see the young lady, we must," Alf said to his 

 terriers, looked at his watch and hesitated. What had he 

 better do ? Wait at the covert side ? No, there would be 

 time to meet the hounds on the road. So he set off at his 

 best pace. 



In the meantime a large company of horsemen and horse- 

 women had assembled at Casselton, to whom were added 

 carriage folk of all denominations and the balance of the 

 neighbourhood on foot, with the exception of some of the 

 wrathful motorists, whose machines, by Lady Flora's strict 

 orders, were not permitted within the lodge gates. 



Anxious and curious eyes were turned in the direction 

 whence hounds would come. The anxious eyes belonged to 

 Victor Bickersdyke, the curious to those desirous of seeing 

 the lady huntsman. 



The Duchess and Lad}' Susan, well mounted as any 

 women could be, were in close conversation with Lady 

 Flora. The Misses Tucker, well turned out but looking 

 somewhat anxious, endeavoured to elicit from their brother, 

 who had been of the party at Mulchester, what he meant by 

 saying " They would see some fun presently ". 



Mr. Silas Tucker accompanied his wife in a landau. 



