86 BACECOUESE AND COVERT SIDE. 



said. " He's got some dodge on, but I can't 

 think what it is." 



'' I think I know, and I think he's out in his 

 reckoning," I observe, as we turn off through a 

 well-used gap and speed along a broad track 

 towards what is still known as the deer forest, 

 though no deer have been in it for many years 

 past. 



'' They've been putting up gates here, I 

 see. What's that for ? " Flutterton said, as 

 we galloped on to the green ride, past a stout 

 timber structure which would have been an 

 effectual stopper had it been closed. '' Lord 

 Saxonhurst's going to stock the place again, 

 I suppose? " 



My horse, excited at the pace, had shot 

 ahead, and my friends' horses followed his 

 example to the best of their ability, so that con- 

 versation flagged as we made good our way along 

 a mile of excellent going, turned into the road, 

 and, no sign of the other party being visible, 

 cantered leisurely along to the Mill, where we 

 touched the posts according to agreement — 

 friends who were there before us looking on and 

 wondering what it meant — and waited the arrival 

 of our opponents. 



Fearstone was frankly astonished when he 

 and his companions cantered up some minutes 



