e
animal. I said it would be the work of gypsies, didn't I now, Mr.
Simpkins?" addressing the gamekeeper. "Come on and let's have a
look for the beast. Keep eyes peeled and gun at full cock, Mr.
Simpkins, and give un both barrels if un makes to spring at us.
This be a sharp capture, Mr. Simpkins--what?"

"Aye, but un seems to take it uncommon cool, Mr. Nippers--one of
'em's larfiin' fit to bust hisself!" replied the gamekeeper as
Cleek slapped both thighs, and throwing back his head, voiced an
appreciative guffaw. "Un doan't look much loike gypsies either
from t' little as Ah can see of 'em in this tomfool loight. Wait
a bit till Ah scoop up an armful o' leaves and throw 'em on the
embers o' fire yon."

He did so forthwith; and the moment the dry leaves fell on the
remnants of the fire which the caravanners had used to cook their
evening meal there was a gush of aromatic smoke, a sudden puff, and
then a broad ribbon of light rushed upward and dispelled every trace
of darkness. And by the aid of that ribbon of light Mr. Nippers
saw something which made him almost collapse with astonishment
and chagrin.

The great of the world may, and often do, forget their meetings
with the small fry, but the small fry never cease to remember their
meetings with the great, or to treasure a vivid remembrance of that
immortal day when they were privileged to rub elbows with the elect.

Five years had passed since Mrs. Maverick Narkom, seeking a place
wherein to spend the summer holidays with the little Narkoms and
their nurses, had let her choice fall upon Winton-Old-Bridges
and had dwelt there for two whole months. Three times during her
sojourn her liege lord had come down for a week-end with his wife
and children, and during one of these brief visits, meeting Mr.
Ephraim Nippers, the village constable in the public highway, he
had deigned to stop and speak to the man and to present him with a
sixpenny cigar.

Times had changed since then; Mr. Nippers was now head constable
for the district, but he still kept that cigar under a glass
shade on the drawing-room whatnot, and he still treasured a vivid
recollection of the great man who had given it to him and whom he
now saw sitting on the ground with his coat off and his waistcoat
unbuttoned, his moustache uncurled, wisps of dried grass clinging
to his tousled hair, and all the dignity of office conspicuous by its
absence.

"Oh, lummy!" said Mr. Nippers with a gulp. "Put down the