21 



was it would be of no use. All who know of the 

 circumstances recommend his being shot. Isn't it a 

 pity, such a fine animal ? " 



" Well," I said, " I am fond of doctoring a little, 

 but this case is quite beyond me. Kather, however, 

 than he should be shot, I will give you ^.10 besides 

 half that he may realize, and will take him back in 

 the train at the end of the week." 



This was accepted with many thanks. Chameleon 

 was safely led into a well padded horse-box on the 

 morning of Friday, shortly after daybreak, and insured 

 for aC.120, I being in the same compartment in front 

 in the place reserved for grooms. My nostrum 

 a profound secret to everybody. Do not think I 

 insured with any intention of hurting the poor animal 

 and thus further punishing my former silly brother- 

 shareholders of this line who had lost half their 

 capital, and then grumbled because the directors 

 throve on their credulity. No ; my retaliation was 

 to be reserved for Mr. Weatherside, to whom I 

 shortly afterwards rode the beautiful Chameleon, 

 showed the insurance ticket, and said that magnificent 

 as he looked, he was not exactly the kind of horse I 

 wanted, and offered to exchange for a chesnut that 

 they both had guaranteed their relative the Rajah 

 eighty guineas for at least. 



