AN UNLUCKY SPORTSMAN. 59 



"Then there'll be no scent or no foxes," Chansett 

 replied, not half meaning it though, this time. 



" There'll be both, you bet ! " Flutterton answered, and 

 they drove on, horsemen being now numerous, and 

 horsewomen adding pleasant variety to the scene. 

 Flutterton was nodding welcomes, and taking off his 

 hat busily, as they neared the meet ; and presently he 

 descried his horse in the distance, being led up and 

 down a byway. 



" There's Miss Earle, with Wynnerly singeing his 

 wings, and there's old Crookton swearing at something 

 or other. I see my horse, but where's yours, I wonder ? 

 I told my servant to look out for Gates' man." 



A hasty glance and a careful survey were equally in 

 vain. Gates' man was not visible. Chansett looked at 

 his watch. It was eleven within three minutes. The 

 faces of the friends grew long, nor were they shortened 

 when Flutterton's groom reported that he had seen 

 nothing of Gates's man. But stay! There is Gates 

 himself, in a cart. 



*' Where's my friend's horse, Gates r " Flutterton 

 asked. 



"That's just exactly what I can't make out, sir. I 

 sent him, saw him start myself, sir, before I harnessed 

 the cob. Strangest thing I ever knew, for I told the 

 man to walk him quietly, and he was a good steady 

 horse," Gates returned. 



By this time a move was being made, and the animal 

 was still invisible. Of course Flutterton pressed 



