in the place
with him. When the discovery of the filly's disappearance was made
that dog was found still attached to its chain, but as dead as
Maria Martin. It had been poisoned. There was a bit of meat lying
beside the body and it was literally smothered in strychnine."

"Quite so. Keep strychnine about the place for killing rats, I
suppose?"

"Yes, of course. They are a perfect pest about the granary and the
fodder bins. But of course it wouldn't be lying round loose--a
deadly thing like that. Besides, there never was any kept in that
particular section of the stables, so the dog couldn't have got
hold of it by accident. Then there's another thing I ought to tell
you, Mr. Cleek: Highland Lassie never was stabled with the rest of
the stud. We have always kept her in one especial stable. There
are just two whacking big box stalls in the place. She occupies
one and Chocolate Maid the other. Chocolate Maid is Lady Mary's
personal property--a fine, blooded filly that will make a name
for herself one of these days, I fancy. Dark-coated and smooth as a
piece of sealskin, the beauty. To-day she is the only animal in
that unlucky place. Yes, come to think of it, Mr. Cleek," he added
with a sort of sigh, "that is probably what the poor fellow wanted
the pail of water for: to wash up and ride her over to the forge
at Shepperton Old Cross."

"Singular time to choose for such a proceeding, wasn't it, Major?
After half-past nine o'clock at night."

"It would be if it were any other man and under any other
circumstances. But remember! It is but three weeks to Derby Day and
every hour of daylight is worth so much gold to us. Farrow knew
that he could not spare a moment of it for any purpose; and he is
most particular over the shoeing. Will see it done himself and
direct the operation personally. Sort of mania with him. Wouldn't
let the best man that ever lived take one of the horses over for
him. Go himself, no matter what inconvenience it put him to. Farrier
at Shepperton Old Cross knows his little 'fads and fancies' and
humours them at all times. Would open the forge and fire up for him
if it were two o'clock in the morning."

"I see. And did he take Chocolate Maid over there on that night,
after all?"

"Yes. Lady Mary and I attended a whist drive at Farmingdale Priory
that evening; but her ladyship was taken with a violent headache
and we had to excuse ourselves and leave early. It would be about
a quarter to eleven o'c