ORME AND LA FLfiCHE 341 



before long his skin looked as though it had 

 been shaved with a razor. 



For several days Orme hovered between life 

 and death. It was almost a hopeless case. We 

 did not leave him alone for a moment. His 

 illness caused much excitement all over the 

 country. The newspapers filled columns with 

 trivial details, for reporters came in crowds to 

 Kingsclere. Punch perpetrated the following: 



Orme ! sweet Orme ! Orme is still off solid food 

 and is kept alive entirely by Porter. It is the opinion of 

 the best informed that " Porter with a head on " will 

 pull him through. Smoking is not permitted in the 

 stable, but there is evidence of there being several " strong 

 backers " about. 



The Duke of Westminster, who was natu- 

 rally greatly distressed, authorised the publica- 

 tion of a notice which read : 



One Thousand Pounds Reward — Poisoning of 

 Orme 



Whereas, on the 21st of April last, at Kingsclere 

 Stable, in the County of Hants, the racehorse Orme, 

 the property of his Grace the Duke of Westminster, v^^as 

 wilfully poisoned, the above reward will be paid by the 

 Duke of Westminster to any person who shall, within 

 one month from this date, furnish such information as 

 shall lead to the apprehension and conviction of the 

 person or persons guilty of the said crime. Information 

 to be furnished to Messrs. Lewis & Lewis, Ely Place, 

 Holborn, E.G. 



Ml 



