see you both in his room."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

We followed him, and as we turned through the baize door so as to go
down the front staircase, Mercer and I managed to exchange a grip of the
hand.

Directly after, we caught sight of the great roan horse at the door
champing its bit, and sending flakes of foam flying over its glossy
coat, and I noticed even then that one white spot fell on the groom's
dark brown coat.

Then, once more drawing a deep breath, we walked in together through the
door Mr Rebble threw open, and closed behind us, when, as if through a
mist, I saw the Doctor sitting at a writing-table, looking very stern
and portly, the General, grey, fierce, and rather red-faced, seated a
little way to the Doctor's right, with his malacca cane between his
legs, and his hands, in their bright brown gloves, resting on the ivory
handle, so that his arms and elbows stood out squarely; while again on
his right, about a couple of yards away, stood big, dark, and
burly-looking Bob Hopley, in his best brown velveteen jacket.

"Er-rum!" coughed the Doctor as the door was closed, and we looked
sharply round at the stern faces before us, Bob Hopley favouring us with
a solemn wink, which I interpreted to mean, "I forgive you, my lads."
Then the Doctor spoke.

"Stand there, Thomas Mercer and Frank Burr. That will do. Now, Sir
Hawkhurst, will you have the goodness to repeat the charge in their
presence."

The old officer faced fiercely round on the Doctor.

"Hang it all, sir!" he cried; "am I the magistrate, or are you?"

"You are the magistrate, sir," said the Doctor gravely, "but I am the
master. The distinction is slight, but I allow no one to stand between
me and my boys. Unless you are going to proceed legally against them to
punish I must request you to let me be their judge."

"Beg pardon, beg pardon," said the General sharply, "Old soldier, sir--
been much in India, and the climate made me hot. Go on!"

I glanced at him quickly as I heard him mention India, and he caught my
eye, and shook his fist at me fiercely.

"You young dog!" he roared; "how dare you come after my rabbits!"

"Excuse me," said the Doctor.

"Yes, yes, of course. Well, Doctor Browne, my keeper and I were out
taking a look round at the young pheasants in their coops last evening,
when we took these confounded young dogs red-handed, ferreting rabbits
with that scoundrelly poaching vagabond you have taken into your
service, whe