levan
to-night. Your animal must be absolutely used up--if you are not."

"Oh, I think not. We are both tougher than that." Hill turned towards
him. "Don't mix it too strong, Jack! I hardly ever touch it except under
your roof."

"I am indeed honoured," laughed Jack. "But if you're going to spend the
night you'll be able to sleep it off before you face your orderly in the
morning."

"Do stay!" said Adela, hastening to follow up her husband's suggestion.
"We should all like it. I hope you will."

Hill bowed towards her with stiff ceremony. "You are very kind, madam.
But I don't like to give trouble, and I am expected back."

"By whom?" questioned Jack. "No one that counts, I'll swear. Your orderly
won't break his heart if you take a night out. He'll probably do the same
himself. And no one else will know. We'll let you leave as early as you
like in the morning, but not before. Come, that's settled, isn't it? Go
and get Rupert a shake-down, little 'un, and give him a decent feed with
plenty of corn in it! No, let her, man; let her! She likes doing it, eh,
Dot girl?"

"Yes, I like it," Dot said, and hurriedly disappeared before Hill could
intervene.

Jack turned to his wife. "Now, missis! Go and make ready upstairs! It's
only a little room, Fletcher, but it's snug. That's the way," as his wife
followed Dot's example. "Now--quick, man! I want a word with you."

"Obviously," said the magistrate, dryly. "You needn't say it, thanks all
the same. I'll leave that drink till--afterwards."

He straightened his tall figure with an instinctive bracing of the
shoulders, and turned to the door.

Jack watched him go with a smile that was not untinged with anxiety, and
lifted his glass as the door closed.

"You've got the cards, old feller," he said. "May you play 'em well!"

Fletcher Hill stepped forth into the moonlit night and stood still. It
had been a swift maneuvre on Jack's part, and it might have disconcerted
a younger man and driven him into ill-considered action. But it was not
this man's nature to act upon impulse. His caution was well known. It had
been his safeguard in many a difficulty. It stood him in good stead now.

So for a space he remained, looking out over the widespread grasslands,
his grim face oddly softened and made human. He was no longer an
official, but a man, with feelings rendered all the keener for the
habitual restraint with which he masked them.

He moved forward at length through the ma