The Last of the Barons 89 



with a full clutch of British Kite's eggs. I hope 

 you will be able to do the same for me this 

 year, as you know where they are to be obtained. 

 I have in my cabinet full clutches of nearly all 

 the British-breeding birds of prey, but the Kite 

 is now so rare that I had despaired of adding 

 its eggs to my collection till my friend gave me 

 your address. I am ready to offer you twenty- 

 five guineas for a clutch properly authenticated 

 as British, and if you should be able to get me 

 a bird as well I will give you ten guineas more, 

 and employ you to set it up. I trust this offer 

 will be satisfactory to you. 



Yours truly, 



WILLIAM GATHERUM. 



" Satisfactory ! I should think so," cried the 

 eldest son. 



" Satisfactory ! Why, you'll get fifty guineas, 

 if you ask for them, Stephen," said the excited 

 mother. 



Well, we could pay the rent anyhow with 

 what he offers," said Stephen, as he put the 

 letter in his pocket. " But to tell you the truth, 



