ut it is not a pleasant thing having
had such a close shave of being sent to Siberia; and it isn't only that.
No doubt the police feel that they owe me a grudge for having been the
means of this fellow, whoever he was, slipping through their fingers,
and I shall be a suspected person for a long time. Of course it is only
fancy, but I am always thinking there is some one following me when I go
out. I know it is nonsense, but I can't get rid of it."

"I don't suppose they are watching you as closely as that," Mr. Robson
said, "but I do think it is likely that they may be keeping an eye on
you; but if they are they will be tired of it before long, when they see
that you go your own way and have nothing to do with any suspected
persons. You want a change, lad. I have an invitation to join a party
who are going up to Finland to shoot for a couple of days. It is more
likely than not that we shall never have a chance of firing a shot, but
it will be an outing for you, and will clear your brain. Do you think
you would like it?"

"Thank you very much, Mr. Robson, I should like it immensely. Petrovytch
was saying this morning that he thought I should be all the better for a
holiday, so I am sure he will spare me. I am nothing of a shot, in fact
I never fired a shot at game in my life, though I have practised a bit
with the rifle, but I am sure it will be very jolly whether we shoot
anything or not."

"Very well, then, be at the station to catch the seven o'clock train in
the morning. It is a four hours' railway journey."

"Is there anything to bring, sir?"

"No, you can take a hand-bag and sleeping things, but beyond a bit of
soap and a towel I don't suppose you will have need of anything, for you
will most likely sleep at some farm-house, or perhaps in a woodman's
hut, and there will not be any undressing. There are six of us going
from here, counting you, but the party is got up by two or three men we
know there. They tell me some of the officers of the regiment stationed
there will be of the party, and they will have a hundred or so of their
men to act as beaters. I have a spare gun that I will bring for you."

The next morning Godfrey joined Mr. Robson at the station. A Mr. White,
whom he knew well, was one of the party, and the other three were
Russians. They had secured a first-class compartment, and as soon as
they started they rigged up a table with one of the cushions and began
to play whist.

"You don't play, I