84 His Own Petard 



To the surprise of those who knew the country best, 

 after having appeared to head for that sure find, 

 Perkinson diverged from it, leaving it on the right hand, 

 or rather did not make towards it, as had been expected. 



' He's going to the Bracken, you know. There 

 has not been a fox there within my memory, and you 

 may depend upon it there never will be. Why on earth 

 doesn't he go where he's sure to find ? I shall ride up 

 and ask him,' Charlton said, and he cantered on to 

 Perkinson' s side. 



' I fancied you were going to Hawk's Gorse, Mr. 

 Perkinson. Would it not be well to try that ? There's 

 generally a fox there, isn't there, Bob ? ' Charlton re- 

 marked, seeking information from the huntsman. 



' Yes, sir, it's as likely as any place,' was Bol)'s 

 reply. 



' Your fancy led you astray, Mr. Charlton,' Perkinson 

 answered. ' I am not going there.' 



' Of course it's as you like, but it seems a pity to pass 

 the place now we are here, don't you think ? ' Charlton 

 urged ; but Perkinson did not condescend to rej)ly. 



* May I venture to ask where you are going ? ' he 

 presently continued, biting his lips with irritation at 

 Perkinson's silence. 



' I am going to the Bracken. I presume I am at 

 liberty to take my hounds where I please ? ' Perkinson 

 said. 



' Certainly, sir, you are the master ; but fortunately 

 I am at liberty to decline to waste my time outside 

 coverts where there are no foxes. Good morning, Mr. 

 Perkinson.' 



He waited for Hed worth, and the pair turned aside ; 

 the greater part of the field also began to disperse when 



