THE DEAD HEAT 111 



the English horse. He did his work quietly and 

 openly, without any attempt at concealment. 



But what is this excitement in the barrack yard ? 

 Officers are rushing to the mess-room. Two gentle- 

 men have been driven up there in a car. Lord 

 Plunger and his friend Bradon have arrived. They 

 are old friends of the Stiffshire battalion. 



" By George ! Plunger and Bradon, I'm delighted 

 to see you," said the warm-hearted Colonel, hasten- 

 ing in, while endeavouring to make his sword-belt 

 meet about his somewhat bulky waist. " I did not 

 tell the boys I had written for you both. Lunch 

 ready in ten minutes — glass of sherry first to wet 

 your mouths. Now, Fortescue will have a little 

 good advice. You will ride the last gallop to- 

 morrow morning, Bradon, and give us your opinion. 

 Dammee, I'm so glad to see you both in the wild 

 west. Here, some one tell the captain of the day I 

 won't have another roll-call. Obliged to do this 

 kind of thing here, Bradon — never know what's 

 going to happen from one minute to another. 

 Shooting landlords like the devil. Potted Lambert 

 last week ; five shots in him, and the only one that 

 did no harm was the one that took him in the fore- 

 head. Rest his sowl, as the Irishmen say, a near 

 escape for him. Lucky dog ! Here is the sherry ! " 

 In this way did the popular Colonel rattle on. 



