nd I've kept 'em in boxes and fed 'em with
worms."

"Well, throw it away, and come along; we ought to be getting back now."

"Yes, so as to have time to go up to the museum first," he replied, but
he did not throw away his last find. That was tucked into a pill-box,
with the promise that I should see it eat a live worm that night.

We turned back and took the side lane which would lead us round by the
keeper's cottage.

"Let's see what Bob has got stuck up on the barn side," said Mercer. "I
daresay there'll be something fresh. He always says he'll save me all
the good things he shoots, but he forgets and nails them on. Come on
through the wood."

"But we shall get our feet so wet," I said, as Mercer jumped the ditch.

"That we won't. It will be drier here."

I followed him, and, knowing his way well, Mercer took me by a short cut
among the trees, which brought us just to the back of the keeper's
cottage, where dozens of the supposed enemies of the game were gibbeted.
Jays, hawks, owls, little falcons, shrikes, weasels, stoats, and
polecats.

"There," said Mercer, pointing, "look at that beautiful fresh jay. He
might have let me--"

Mercer stopped short, for we heard Polly Hopley's voice speaking loudly,
evidently at the front of the cottage.

"I don't want it, and I won't have it. Give it to some one else."

"No, I shan't," said a harsh voice, which we knew at once as Magglin's.
"I bought it o' porpos for you, and you've got to wear it."

"Then I shan't, and if you come talking to me again like that, I shall
tell father."

"No, you won't."

"Indeed and I shall, and the sooner you go the better. He isn't far
off."

"Yes, he is," said Magglin, "and won't be back for hours."

"How do you know?"

"Because I watched him."

"Yes, that's what you poaching chaps always do, watch the keeper till
he's out of the way," said Polly sharply.

"Don't call me a poacher, Polly."

"Yes, I shall; and that's what you are."

"Come away," I whispered; "don't let's stop listening."

"We can't help it, without going all the way back."

"Poachers always make the best keepers, Polly, and I'm going to be a
keeper now, and marry you."

"Are you, indeed?" said the girl indignantly. "That you just aren't,
and if you ever dare to call me Polly again, I'll throw a bucket o'
water over you."

"Not you," said Magglin. "I say, do have it. It's real gold."

"I don't care if it's real silver!" cried Polly. "I'