close-cropped, brown
head bent above his manuscript, writing busily. But presently he set
this aside and leaning head on hand wearily, became lost in troubled
reverie, then, sighing deeply, took pen and paper and began to indite a
letter. At first he paused often as if the composition were difficult,
but, little by little, his thoughts seemed to flow more freely for his
quill flew rapidly, never staying until the letter was finished.
Having sanded it, he read over what he had written, folded it, paused,
shook his head and tore it across and across in his sinewy fingers,
made as if to throw the scraps aside, checked himself and crammed them
into one of the yawning side-pockets of the Ramillie coat. Thereafter,
he sat staring straight before him until, moved by sudden impulse, he
drew to him a new sheet of paper and wrote again busily. Then, not
staying this time to read over what he had set down, he sanded, folded,
sealed it, and turning, thrust it carefully into a pocket of the
Ramillie coat and so turned back to his history once more.

All at once he started, lifted his head and glanced across at a certain
part of the old, red-brick wall and, dropping his pen, got stealthily
to his feet.

"A young cavalier he rode on his way
Singing heigho, this loving is folly."

The singing voice on the opposite side of the wall was drawing nearer,
wherefore the Major snatched up his wig, clapped it on anyhow and
incontinent fled.

My lady Betty, having watched this hasty retreat, frowned, plucked a
leaf, bit it with sharp, white teeth and--espied the Ramillie coat.
The wall was rather high and there was no ladder this side, but my lady
was of courageous temper and determined character, so----

The Major, turning a sharp corner of the yew walk, ran full tilt into
Sergeant Zebedee.

"Ha, Zeb," said he, a little breathlessly, "I--I was looking for
you----"

"Same likewise, sir," answered the Sergeant, standing at attention.
"There's Colonel Cleeve, Sir Benjamin, and the Viscount a-waiting to
play cards wi' you----"

"Excellent! I'll join 'em at once----"

"But your--your coat, sir?"

"Aye, to be sure! You'll find it in the arbour, Zeb, bring it to me in
the library."

"Now, I wonder," murmured the Sergeant as the Major hastened away with
long strides, "I wonder wherefore so rapid?"

So my lady jumped. She had just caught up the Ramillie coat when she
heard the approach of heavy steps and, being as resourc