11^ MISS BAD8WORTH, M.F.H. 



sufficiency in his manner which was irritating, to say the 

 least of it ; but the worst of the whole matter consisted in 

 the impression which Jack had that in a court of law Miss 

 Badsworth's case would be more than shakey. In fact, Jack's 

 object was to gain time. 



" I can understand, Mr. Bickersdyke, that after a super- 

 ficial view that would be your opinion," he said. 



" What on earth do you mean by superficial ? " Victor 

 asked hotly. 



" You have fallen into the error of supposing that the 

 portion of the codicil in Mr. Hugo Badsworth's Will is 

 capable of only one interpretation ? " 



" Certainly. It's plain enough." 



'* You said you are prepared to swear that the conditions 

 have not been complied with ? " 



" I should have no hesitation whatever." 



" In fact, that Lavinia Badsworth has not hunted the 

 hounds ? " 



" Cer What do you mean ? " 



" Only that I think you would commit perjury. Lavinia 

 Badsworth has hunted them." Jack spoke calmly and de- 

 liberately, though the mere mention of the name made him 

 feel inclined to cast forth his visitor into the outer darkness 

 of a November night. 



Victor looked at him, his mouth open with astonishment, 

 and then Jack said : — 



" I knew Mr. Badsworth possibly a great deal better than 

 you did ; he was a thorough sportsman, and had got together 

 one of the best packs of hounds in the kingdom. He might 

 have cared little for the property in his sister's hands (for it 

 was a matter which could easily be righted) whether it 



deteriorated or not ; but his hounds The Squire, 



though he took little notice (if any) of his brother or his 

 niece or you, was well posted in all that concerned the 

 family, so he merely put a little more depth into the puzzle 

 and left out any qualifying title to the name of the hunts- 

 man or huntswoman. You will observe, Lavinia Badsworth 



