an wot was
doin' nothink," he growled.

Something floated into Patsy's mind, vague, terrible. Before he could
grasp it another person joined the group,--Sir Shawn O'Gara.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "Who is this person?"

His face changed. Patsy Kenny, who was watching him, saw the change.
He had grown livid, his lips blue. Was he ill? Was he going to fall?

Before Patsy could do anything he recovered himself and spoke.

"You have business with me?" he said to the tramp.

"Yes, sir." Mr. Baker was suddenly cringingly respectful. "I came
'ere to talk business an' was set upon by this yere man o' yourn
somethink crool. I'd sack him if I was you. Your 'orses wouldn't be
safe with 'im, 'im bein' so 'ot-tempered."

Sir Shawn still looked very ill. Patsy had once seen a person in a bad
heart-seizure. Was Sir Shawn's heart affected? Small mottled patches
of a purple colour had come out on the smooth darkness of his skin.
Angina. That was what the doctor called it in the case of that other
person. Had that mysterious, terrible disease laid hold on the Master?
He had not looked well for many a day. Patsy had wondered that the
Mistress did not see it, was not disturbed by it, seeing how fond a
wife she was. His heart sank with fear for the Master.

"Let me deal with him, father," said Terry, looking like a young god in
contrast with the unpleasant Mr. Baker.

"I know this man," Sir Shawn said, quietly. "He once rendered me a
service."

"When I were gamekeeper over to Ashbridge 'All," said Mr. Baker
eagerly, "you'd a bin shot but for me. Some gents will never learn 'ow
'to 'old their guns. I knocked the barrel up just in the nick. That
Mr. Lascelles, 'e weren't safe."

Ashbridge! Oh--so the man had been employed at Ashbridge Hall, Lord
Trentham's place, some thirty miles away on the edge of Lough Aske.
How long ago? Patsy kept asking himself the question. He looked after
Sir Shawn and Mr. Baker as they went away in the direction of the
house. Sir Shawn had an official room with a door opening out on to
the grounds, so that the many people who came to consult him on one
business or another need not enter through the house.

"That fellow's face would hang him anywhere," said Terry O'Gara. "I
wonder what amount of villainy lies between a gamekeeper's place at
Ashbridge and the brute he is to-day?"

"God help them that are in his power," Patsy Kenny said fervently.
Then he went to the gate