CHAPTER XII. 



MR. BINKIE VISITS CATCHEM COURT. 



Adela departed shortly after breakfast next morning for lier 

 home, and some two days later om- friend Travers prepared to 

 leave, for a brief period, the parental roof-tree. He was going 

 to stay with his newly-found friends, Sir Toodle and Lady 

 Lumpkin, and their three charming daughters, at Catchem 

 Court. Arrayed in the very latest thing in drab driving coats, 

 adorned with pearl buttons about the size of cheese-plates, and 

 a very ' saucy ' looking billycock hat, perched just over the 

 place where the bridge of his nose ought to have been and 

 wasn't, he requested his man to give a final flick with a soft 

 cloth to his resplendent patent-leather boots, and then, at 

 length, completely satisfied with his toilet, he waddled out, 

 and climbed up into the dogcart awaiting him. His two 

 friends were standing at the door to see him ofl'. 



" As Jack can't ride the little black horse you can have him 

 for next hunting-day. Tommy," said Binkie condescendingly, 

 as he gathered up his reins. 



" I'll see the little black horse d— d first," was the Baronet's 

 vigorous reply. " Why, you can't get the beast over a foot- 

 high gap ! " 



" Oh, really ! " squeaked Travers. " Well, don't say I didn't 

 ofier you a mount," and with a grin at his own cleverness he 



