e to do anything with
him."

"You don't say so?" observed Jack. "I've heard Sir Piers speak of the
lad; and, by his account, he's as fine a fellow as ever crossed tit's
back; only a little wildish and unreasonable, as the best of us may be;
wants breaking, that's all. Your skittish colt makes the best horse, and
so would he. To speak the truth, I'm glad he escaped."

"So am I," rejoined Titus; "for, in the first place, I've a foolish
partiality for poachers, and am sorry when any of 'em come to hurt; and,
in the second, I'd be mighty displeased if any ill had happened to one
of Sir Piers's flesh and blood, as this young chap appears to be."

"Appears to be!" repeated Palmer; "there's no _appearing_ in the case, I
take it. This Bradley's an undoubted offshoot of the old squire. His
mother was a servant-maid at the hall, I rather think. You sir,"
continued he, addressing Coates, "perhaps, can inform us of the real
facts of the case."

"She was something better than a servant," replied the attorney, with a
slight cough and a knowing wink. "I remember her quite well, though I
was but a boy then; a lovely creature, and so taking, I don't wonder
that Sir Piers was smitten with her. He was mad after the women in those
days, and pretty Sue Bradley above all others. She lived with him quite
like his lady."

"So I've heard," returned Jack; "and she remained with him till her
death. Let me see, wasn't there something rather odd in the way in which
she died, rather suddenish and unexpected,--a noise made about it at the
time, eh?"

"Not that I ever heard," replied Coates, shaking his head, and appearing
to be afflicted with an instantaneous ignorance; while Titus affected
not to hear the remark, but occupied himself with his wine-glass. Small
snored audibly. "I was too young, then, to pay any attention to idle
rumors," continued Coates. "It's a long time ago. May I ask the reason
of your inquiry?"

"Nothing further than simple curiosity," replied Jack, enjoying the
consternation of his companions. "It is, as you say, a long while since.
But it's singular how that sort of thing is remembered. One would think
people had something else to do than talk of one's private affairs for
ever. For my part, I despise such tattle. But there _are_ persons in the
neighborhood who still say it was an awkward business. Amongst others,
I've heard that this very Luke Bradley talks in pretty plain terms about
it."

"Does he, indeed?" said C