be intoxicated; but when the stranger came in, to his
great surprise he observed a glance of recognition between him and
Byres, after which they appeared as if they were perfect strangers.
Rushbrook watched them carefully, but so as not to let them perceive he
was so doing, when a beckon from the stranger to Byres was again made.
Byres continued to read the paper and to harangue, but at the same time
took an opportunity of making a signal in reply. There was something in
the stranger's appearance which told Rushbrook that he was employed as a
keeper, or something in that way, for we often single out our enemies by
instinct. That there was mischief in the wind Rushbrook felt sure, and
his heart misgave him the more so, as occasionally the eyes of both were
turned towards him. After a little reflection, Rushbrook determined to
feign intoxication, as he had so often done before: he called for
another pint, for some time talked very loud, and at last laid his head
on the table; after a time he lifted it up again, drank more, and then
fell back on the bench. By degrees the company thinned, until there was
no one left but the schoolmaster, the pedlar, and the stranger. The
schoolmaster, as usual, offered to assist the pedlar in helping
Rushbrook to his cottage; but Byres replied that he was busy, and that
he need not wait for Rushbrook; the friend he had with him would assist
him in taking home the drunken man. The schoolmaster reeled home,
leaving the two together. They sat down on the bench, not far from
Rushbrook, who appeared to them to be in the last stage of inebriety.
Their conversation was easily overheard. The pedlar stated that he had
watched several nights, but never could find when Rushbrook left his
cottage, but he had traced the boy more than once; that R had promised
to have game ready for him on Tuesday, and would go out on Monday night
for it. In short, Rushbrook discovered that Byres was about to betray
him to the man, whom, in the course of their conversation, he found out
to be a game-keeper newly hired by the lord of the manor. After a while
they broke up, Byres having promised to join the keeper in his
expedition, and to assist in securing his former ally. Having made
these arrangements, they then took hold of Rushbrook by the arms, and,
shaking him to rouse him as much as they could, they led him home to the
cottage, and left him in charge of his wife. As soon as the door was
closed, Rushbroo