254 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



were those who usually drove to the front back in the ruck 

 and running mute. 



" What can they be running ? " she gasped. 



** A fox ; he was holloaed," was all Jack could say. 



" They're mute," was the reply. 



" Pace," said he. 



And so they went on still hardly on terms till Berrington 

 brickfields hove in sight; a field short of them Jack's horse 

 came down. Majendie, the doctor and two of the cavalry 

 division, who had lost their places in the detour, were close 

 behind. Jimmy Edwards, who had been under the impres- 

 sion that Luckington was the fox's point, was using his know- 

 ledge to the best advantage. 



At the brickfields hounds threw up and Lavvy got to 

 them, making as quick a cast as was consistent with the 

 blown Banker round the outside. Of course we are not 

 surprised to hear that the cast was a failure. 



Having naturally no suspicion of what had occurred, and 

 imagining that a fox who had come so straight and well 

 might have taken refuge at the spot, Lavvy dismounted, 

 hitched the reins on the fence and climbed over it. The 

 stragglers came up one by one and watched her wading 

 waist high in the docks and nettles. It was all in vain, 

 though Ned Barlow joined her in the quest. 



A few hounds were busy at one spot, and on investigation 

 Lavvy trod on a loose board. 



" Take care, ma'am," Ned exclaimed. ** There's a well or 

 something. Get baik ! " to the clustering hounds. 



Then both were startled by a voice from the depths : 

 *' Help me out ! I've fell in ! " 



"Why, that's Bill Hart!" Ned exclaimed. "Are you 

 hurt ? " he asked of the depths. 



" No. I bein't hurt none, only there's a foot o' water, or 

 more." 



Ned stooped down and picked up a string and slowly drew 

 it up. On the end was a draggled piece of fur. 



"What's that ? " Lavvy asked. 



