through, and muddy (for 'twas a loamy ditch),
and a bit dazed still, and sore ashamed; but when I thought of the
bargain I'd made for master, and of the money I'd got in my waistcoat, I
took heart, and reached in my hand to take out the notes, and see they
weren't wasted with the wet.

"But there was no notes there--no, not a bit of paper, for all I turned
my waistcoat inside out, and ripped up the lining. 'Twas only half a
mile from Beacon Hill that I was lying, and I soon made my way back to
the fair-ground, but couldn't find my friends of the evening before, and
the gaffer in the drinking-tent said he couldn't remember as he'd ever
seen any such. I spent the livelong day searching here and there, till
the folks laughed at me, because I looked so wild with drinking the
night before, and with sleeping out, and with having nothing to eat; for
every penny was took from me. I told the constable, and he took it all
down, but I see him looking at me the while, and at the torn lining
hanging out under my waistcoat, and knew he thought 'twas only a light
tale, and that I had the drink still in me. 'Twas dark afore I give it
up, and turned to go back.

"'Tis seven mile good by the nigh way from Beacon Hill to Wydcombe; and
I was dog-tired, and hungry, and that shamed I stopped a half-hour on
the bridge over Proud's mill-head, wishing to throw myself in and ha'
done with it, but couldn't bring my mind to that, and so went on, and
got to Wydcombe just as they was going to bed. They stared at me,
Farmer Michael, and Master Martin, and Miss Phemie, as if I was a
spirit, while I told my tale; but I never said as how 'twas Sophia
Joliffe as had bought the horses. Old Michael, he said nothing, but had
a very blank look on his face, and Miss Phemie was crying; but Master
Martin broke out saying 'twas all make-up, and I'd stole the money, and
they must send for a constable.

"`'Tis lies,' he said. `This fellow's a rogue, and too great a fool
even to make up a tale that'll hang together. Who's going to believe a
woman 'ud buy the team, and give a hundred and twenty pounds in notes
for hosses that 'ud be dear at seventy pounds? Who was the woman? Did
'ee know her? There must be many in the fair 'ud know such a woman.
They ain't so common as go about with their pockets full of banknotes,
and pay double price for hosses what they buy.'

"I knew well enough who'd bought 'em, but didn't want to give her name
for fear of griev