i28 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 



" No, bless yer ! That ain't Phil Kelly's game." 

 (Kelly was, I knew, the man who had charge of my 

 opponent's horse.) 



"Well then, just explain, will you; for /can't see." 



From the recesses of his garment the elder man 

 pulled out a short stick about fifteen inches in length, 

 at the end of which was a loop of string; and from 

 another pocket he produced a small paper parcel. 



" D'yer know what that is ? That's a * twitch.' D'yer 

 know what that is r That's med'cine. I love this 'ere 

 young feller's mare so much I'm a-goin' to give it some 

 nicey med'cine myself; and this is the right stuff. I've 

 been up to the house to-day, and can find my way into 

 the stable to-night when it's all quiet. Just slip this 

 loop over 'er lip, and she'll open 'er mouth. Down goes 

 the pill, and as it goes down the money goes into my 

 pocket. Them officer fellers and their friends have 

 been backing Blankney's 'orse ; but Phil Kelly will 

 take care that they hear at the last moment that he's no 

 good. Then they'll rush to lay odds on the mare — and 

 the mare won't win." 



They laughed, and nudged each other in the side, and 

 I felt a mighty temptation to rush into the room and 

 nudge their heads with my fist. Little Lady's delicate 

 lips, which Nellie had so often petted, to be desecrated 

 by the touch of such villains as these ! 



While struggling to restrain myself I heard a step 

 behind me, and, turning round, I saw Smithers. We 

 proceeded to the stable ; and I hastily recounted to him 



