THE POAGHEB'S^ REVENGE. 119 



" You are not hurt, my Lord ? Thank God, we were just 

 in time ! " 



" The man was just about to let me go when your shouts 

 disturbed him," said Lord Middleford. 



" To let you go ! " exclaimed the sergeant, as he unfastened 

 the strap that bound his wrists. 



" Yes, thanks to those miniatures. The kindness shown 

 by my two little girls to his wife and child saved my life. 

 The poor wretch is quite dead, I suppose ? " asked his 

 lordship. 



" Yes, my Lord. The top of his skull is completely blown 

 off." 



More policemen and keepers came up, and, having made 

 arrangements as to the disposal of the body. Lord Middleford 

 awaited the arrival of his horse, which a man had already 

 gone in pursuit of, mounted it, and then rode off to the 

 Kennels, arriving in time for lunch, as we have seen before. 



As might be supposed, the widow and child of the 

 murderer were duly cared for by Lord Middleford, and in one 

 of the gate lodges at the approach to his Highland home, far 

 from the scenes of their former unhappiness, they began a 

 new life. 



Each year brings its Puppy Show, and as his lordship sees 

 the young dog hounds on the kennel flags, he never ceases to 

 remember his strange adventure in Warrior's year. 



