for him and I've been beating his carpet for him nicely. I
don't think he'll come any more."

"What does he come poaching after, Bob--the sweets?" said Mercer.

"Um! Yes, the sweets," said Bob drily; "and he ain't going to have 'em.
A lazy, poaching, dishonest scoundrel, that's what he is. I did think
we'd got rid of him lots o' times, but he's like a bad shilling, he
always comes back. Well, never mind him, sir. When are you coming to
have a day's fishing? Sir Orkus told me only t'other day you was to be
looked after if you come."

"Oh, some day soon," I said. "We've got a big cricket match coming on
first."

"Ay? Well, I must come and see that, young gents. I used to be fond of
bowling myself."

We shook hands with the keeper, and then went into the cottage to buy a
couple of Polly's turnovers, and found her looking very red-faced and
shy, but she was businesslike enough over taking the money, and we went
off browsing down the lane upon Polly's pastry and blackberry jam.

"Magg wants to marry Polly," I said oracularly. "Don't you remember
that day when we went round by the back, and heard her ordering him
off?"

"Yes, I remember," said Mercer, with his mouth full. "I was thinking
about it. I don't wonder at Bob whacking him. Polly's too good for
such a miserable, shuffling, cheating fellow as he is. I hate him now.
I used to like him, though I didn't like him. I liked him because he
was so clever at getting snakes and hedgehogs and weasels. He always
knew where to find lizards. But he's a cheat. You pay him, and then he
says you didn't, and keeps on worrying you for more money. I'll never
buy anything of him again."

"That's what you always say, Tom," I replied, "and next time he has a
good bird or anything, you buy it."

"Well, I've done with him this time. Look: there he is."

For about fifty yards away there was Magglin, long-haired and
dirty-looking, seated on the bank, with his elbows on his knees and his
face buried in his hands.

But he was so quick of ear, that, though we were walking along the
grassy margin of the road, he heard us coming, and started up fierce and
excited of aspect, but only to soften down and touch his cap, with a
servile grin upon his face.

"Hullo, Mr Mercer, sir," he whined; "looking for me?"

"No," said my companion. "Why should I look for you?"

"Thought you wanted to pay me that shilling you owe me, sir."

"I don't owe you a shilling."

"Oh ye