LORD WILLIAM'S ACTION 



blood-stained five-pound note, saying that his friend 

 could not be bribed for the severe injury which I had 

 caused him. . . . 



And then the papers took the matter up and 

 there was a new version every day. The majority 

 stated that I had " heaved " the bottle at the man, 

 that I was drunk — everything in fact was said that 

 wasn't true ! 



Still the talk went on and I wanted to take pro- 

 ceedings, but Lord William said: "Little man, let 

 sleeping dogs lie." It was the first time in my life 

 I had heard the expression ; I know I ought to have 

 known it before but it seemed so appropriate that I 

 never forgot it afterwards. * 



The incident was still being discussed and was, I 

 should think, being worn threadbare. Then one day 

 Lord William came to me and said he had hushed up 

 the whole business and had paid several hundred 

 pounds. He added : 



" Don't let's think anything more about it ; keep 

 your mind on your riding. I've paid the money so 

 that's all right ; I want nothing from you." But I 

 went over the affair again, trying to convince him that 

 the whole thing had started in the beastly attempt to 

 bully me by the waiter and his associate. 



Then Lord William used all his charm of manner 

 to persuade me to keep quiet and to say nothing 

 more. 



" The Stewards exonerated you : that's the chief 

 thing, little man ; and don't let's argue any more about 

 it," he said. 



But I kept on, although in a respectful way. 



" As you have paid, my lord," I declared at last, 

 " it can't be helped." But naturally I insisted on 

 standing the expense myself : it was deducted from 



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