, is he?"

Jerry nodded.

"Yes, the doctor told me. I thought we'd got a big interesting case on
there. Sensible?"

Jerry shook his head.

"Ah! That's what the doctor said, and that he might not be really
sensible for weeks. Narrow squeak for him, eh?"

"Yes."

"Fancy! That poor young chap nearly killing him!"

"And serve him right!" shouted out Jerry, angrily. "Mr Frayne must
have made him so mad he couldn't bear himself, and he hit out hard. It
was only an accident, after all."

"But we should have been in it, Mr Brigley, even if he got off; and
there would have been the inquest, too. Things have been a bit quiet
here lately."

"Well, you'll have your inquest, after all," said Jerry, bitterly.

"Humph! Not so sure, sir. But it's a very, very sad business, Mr
Brigley, and I must be going now. Thank you. Quite refreshing, sir!
Good-night; and wish you well out of the trouble."

"Wish us well out of the trouble!" growled Jerry, bitterly. "As if
there ever would be any way out of it. On'y to think--him upstairs
getting better, and his people telegraphing to say they'll come over at
once, and his cousin lying there out in the cold river, who knows how
deep? It only wanted this to make me wish--"

Jerry did not finish his sentence, but took a letter out of his pocket,
read it through, and uttered a derisive laugh.

"Yes; it only wanted this to help make me happy. Well, it wasn't so
very much, but it's gone; and serve me right for being such a fool!"

Just then a bell rang, and he went to answer it.

"The doctor says we need not sit up, Brigley," said his master, sadly.
"You are tired. I shall want you no more to-night. The nurse will get
anything the doctor requires."

"Beg pardon, sir," said Jerry. "Mr Frayne, sir?--now?"

"Sleeping, I believe, Brigley. Good-night!"

"No; a bad night!" said Jerry. "Poor S'Richard! I'd give anything to
see him again!"

CHAPTER NINE.

DEAD--AND BURIED.

By the next morning the flood was subsiding rapidly, and at night the
muddy meadows began to show that the river was sinking back into its
bed.

All that evening boats were out, and people watched in expectation of
that which they felt would soon be found.

Twenty-four hours more elapsed, and sheep, caught in hedgerows by the
wool, were dragged through the mud and slime.

Lower down the river an ox or two were found, while news came of other
carcases, miles away, stranded in bends whe