URGENT BUSINESS 183 



accomplishments — when the footman entered, and, lean- 

 ing over the back of his chair, engaged his attention a 

 few minutes. 



" Oh — very well," said he, aloud ; and, on the servant's 

 withdrawing, begged permission of his guests to be 

 absent a short time on very urgent business. He 

 beckoned me to accompany him, and we went directly to 

 the kitchen, where we found seated a stalwart butcher 

 of one of the neighbouring villages, who acted also in the 

 capacity of constable to the hundred. 



'^ Do you want me ? " he asked, addressing the man 

 by name. 



" Yes, Sir Peter." 



•' What do you want ? " 



"I want Gs. 6d. for the summons I have called so 

 many times about." 



" And my servant tells me you won't go out of the 

 house without it — is it so ? " 



" No, I won't, Sir Peter." 



Then, taking some silver out of his waistcoat pocket, 

 and counting out the stipulated sum, he put it on the 

 dresser. 



" Now, they call you the Fighting Butcher, do they 

 not ? " inquired the Baronet ; and upon the man's 

 answering in the affirmative, added — " Then take off 

 your coat, and if you are a better man than me you shall 

 have it — not without." 



The butcher, nothing loth, did as he was told. 



'' Get you girls out of the kitchen ! " said their master. 

 " Where's Stephen ? " 



Stephen, who was his fides Achates as well as his 



