4 8 KINGSCLERE 



the leading part, albeit a silent one, in the most 

 amusing of these little comedies, in which the 

 intentions of Sir Joseph Hawley, the strictly private 

 opinions of the Baronet's trainer, Wells's views, and 

 in short all the secrets of the Kingsclere stable, were 

 canvassed. Porter was suffering from a sore throat, 

 for which, although he was assured that it was in 

 nowise serious, he was locally advised to consult a 

 London specialist and undergo a slight surgical 

 operation. Accordingly he went to London for the 

 purpose of consulting Sir Duncan Gibb. On his 

 way from Waterloo he called upon his old friend 

 Mr. W. Faux, the manager of the library department 

 of Smith & Son's, and arranged to have a parcel 

 of books handed to him at the railway station for 

 the return journey. Sir Duncan Gibb performed the 

 operation, and then enjoined his patient to provide 

 himself with a small quantity of ice to suck upon 

 the road home, and thereby reduce the risk of in- 

 flammation. In due time Porter ensconced himself 

 in a corner seat of a carriage bound for Overton, 

 and proceeded to treat himself according to the 

 doctor's orders by paying sedulous attention to the 

 contents of his bag of ice. Under the circumstances 

 taking part in a conversation, except in the most 

 laconic fashion, was on his part impossible. The 

 parcel of books from Smith & Son's, it is neces- 

 sary to remark, was not forthcoming when the train 

 started. For some distance Porter's sole companion — 

 a carefully groomed, well set-up, and military-looking 

 gentleman in an opposite seat — perused his sporting 



