2 54 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 



any more ? It was so late I didn't go home to dress, and 

 came in to dine as I was." 



" Any more ? Isn't that enough ? Have you been to 

 Gloucester?" I inquire. 



" Yes, just back. Went straight on from the Towers, 

 changed my things in the train, I hate the worry of 

 going racing from town early in the morning. It was 

 all right," he rejoins. 



" All right ? What was ? Backing a brute that wasn't 

 even started to win r I don't blame you, my dear fellow, 

 but it looks to me all wrong," I answer. 



" All wrong ? How do you mean ? " he asks in surprise. 



" Why, didn't you back I\Iuffin Boy for me ? " 



" Certainly not ! Didn't you receive my letter ? " 



" Letter ? What letter ? " 



" A letter I wrote you ten days ago, telling you about 

 it," he answers. 



" My dear fellow, you astound me. I have received no 

 letter at all. What was it about ? Are you sure you 

 sent it ? " 



" I'm sure I put it in the box, and it must have 

 gone." 



" In the box ? In what box ? " I inquire. 



" Why, the letter-box here," he replies ; and just then 

 a waiter passes. 



" You are careful to send the letters every night, are 

 you not r " Leonard asks. 



"Yes, sir. They go every night at half-past two," 

 the man replies. 



