you go to law you'll
be worsted. Now, a little piece of information has come to my knowledge
which may make you see that it would not be wise to go to law, even
supposing there was a chance of your winning. I have not communicated
with my lord on the subject, so I act on my own responsibility. This
lad here, your son, has put himself in an awkward position. He has been
poaching--not for the first time, either. I have just heard all about
it from Jackson, the keeper, and from a young gentleman who is staying
at the hall. They can give evidence, not only that he was poaching, but
that he threatened the life of Lord Reginald Oswald--a very serious
business, let me tell you. Had he fired, as he threatened to do, he
would have been hung to a certainty, and as it is, I see every
probability that he will be sentenced to seven years' penal servitude.
Now, of course, his lordship has it in his power to overlook the
offence, and if I can tell him that you will yield to his wishes and
consent to give up the farm, I am pretty sure that you will hear no more
about the matter, only you must restrain your son from poaching in
future, or from associating with smugglers, as I have evidence that he
is in the habit of doing."

The farmer listened to all the bailiff said, while Dick sat clenching
his hands, with his eyes to the ground, every now and then giving a look
at his mother.

Ben was right, then, in warning him. Had he accompanied the old
smuggler at once, and got out of the way, Mr Gooch would not have been
able to obtain the upper hand of his father.

When the bailiff had finished, Mr Hargrave replied, "I have before
given you my answer. I believe the marquis to be a just man. If he
finds I have the right to continue in the farm, he would not wish to
dispossess me. In regard to Dick, the provocation he received by having
his dog killed would excuse any thoughtless words he might have uttered.
So I cannot offer to give up my rights for fear of the consequences,
and I will never believe that Lord Elverston would act as you suggest."

"Then you dare to say that you doubt my word, Farmer Hargrave?"
exclaimed the bailiff, in a tone of indignation, rising from his seat.
"I'll give you until to-morrow to think over the matter; but you'll take
the consequences if you have the same answer ready for me. And dame, I
would advise you to persuade your husband to act as I recommend, or,
whether you go out of the farm or not, t