know where to find you if you are
wanted; but I don't suppose the marquis will be hard upon you, when he
hears how it was your sister's dog was shot. If, my lord, you'll please
to let the lad go, I'll undertake that he shall not come into the park
again. His father is not the man to allow him to do anything against
the law."

Lord Reginald, who really much regretted having shot the dog, willingly
listened to the keeper's advice, and Voules, who had no object to gain
in irritating him further against Dick Hargrave, said no more on the
subject.

"Well, Hargrave, I will try to forget your threats, and I again assure
you that had I known the dog was your sister's, I would not have shot
it," said Lord Reginald, turning aside; and without waiting for an
answer he led the way, followed by Voules and the keeper, in the
direction of the hall, leaving Dick still standing by the side of his
dog.

"I do not trust his fair words," said Dick, looking after the party;
"but I am obliged to Jackson for speaking a word in my favour, for if it
had not been for him, matters would have become worse. Poor Faithful!
I don't know how I shall ever have the heart to tell Janet what has
happened," and stooping down he again examined the dog, to assure
himself that it was really dead. Of this he was soon convinced. "I'll
not let you lie here, my poor dog!" he exclaimed, and taking it up in
his arms, he walked away with it towards his home. He was crossing the
road from Keyhaven, when a voice hailed him, and looking round he saw
Ben Rudall approaching.

"What hast thou got there, Dick?" asked Ben. "Your sister's dog--and
killed, too! How did that happen?"

Dick told him, describing what had occurred.

"And thee wouldst trust the chaps, would thee?" said Ben, speaking in
the Hampshire dialect. "No, no; don't be doin' that. Measter Jackson
may have spoken fair enough, but he knows that he's got his thumb on
thee, an' can come down on thee when he loiks. Now, just listen to what
I have got to say. I was going to look for thee. The _Nancy_ is
expected in before many days are over, an' she'll be sailing again the
next morning. If thee'll come down to Keyhaven, there'll be a good
chance of taking a trip, an' 'twill be safer for thee to be out of the
way in case the young lord should change his mind an' have thee up for
poachin'. When the marquis hears of it, it's my belief that he won't
let thee off, for he's wonderfully strict abo