204 STUBBS THE BADGER 
he knew that it was not an enemy who spied 
upon him thus rather the contrary. He could 
neither see, hear, nor wind anything unusual, but 
that mysterious sense which is perhaps the parent, 
not the outcome, of the other senses, told him that 
the watcher was hidden under the oak tree to bis 
right, and that he would do well to pursue it thither. 
Suddenly the shutters of a window were thrown open, 
and a golden beam of light was flung across the 
darkness. It lit up the rough bark of the oak tree 
on the lawn, and at the foot of the latter, blinking 
resentfully in the light, Stubbs saw the owner of the 
watching eyes. In a second or two the light was 
shut off, and the music grew muffled again ; but 
Stubbs thought no more of bulbs, for he heard the 
patter of feet which scampered back to the wood, 
and gave chase. 
Perhaps she did not run very fast, at all events 
he soon came up with her. In size she was less 
than himself, but judged by badger standards her 
charms were surpassing. Also she did not repulse 
him, for she came from the Ballinakill ' earth ' 
outside Knockdane, and had dwelt mateless for 
many days. 
So Stubbs and Grunter hunted together that 
night ; that is, Grunter set the pace and chose the 
paths, and Stubbs followed. They went by the 
