s, and thus reduce the
number of his embarrassing resignations.

"I want to consult you about a most damnable outrage," exploded the
general. "It's inconceivable that in this----"

"Will you kindly be as brief as possible?" said Malcolm Sage,
fondling the lobe of his left ear. "I can spare only a few minutes."

Sir John gasped, glared across at him angrily; then, seeming to take
himself in hand, continued:

"You've heard of the Surrey cattle-maiming outrages?" he enquired.

Malcolm Sage nodded.

"Well, this morning a brood-mare of mine was found hacked about in
an unspeakable manner. Oh, the damn scoundrels!" he burst out as he
jumped from his chair and began pacing up and down the room.

"I think it will be better if Mr. Callice tells me the details,"
said Malcolm Sage, evenly. "You seem a little over-wrought."

"Over-wrought!" cried Sir John. "Over-wrought! Dammit, so would you
be if you had lost over a dozen beasts." In the army he was known as
"Dammit Hackblock."

Mr. Callice looked across to the general, who, nodding acquiescence,
proceeded to blow his nose violently, as if to bid Malcolm Sage
defiance.

"This morning a favourite mare belonging to Sir John was found
mutilated in a terrible manner----" Mr. Callice paused; there was
something in his voice that caused Malcolm Sage to look up. The
gentle look had gone from his face, his eyes flashed, and his mouth
was set in a stern, severe line.

"Good preacher," Malcolm Sage decided as he dropped his eyes once
more, and upon his blotting pad proceeded to develop the Pons
Asinorum into a church.

In a voice that vibrated with feeling and suggested great
self-restraint, Mr. Callice proceeded to tell the story of the
latest outrage. How when found that morning the mare was still alive,
of the terrible nature of her injuries, and that the perpetrator had
disappeared, leaving no trace.

"Her look, sir! Dammit!" the general broke in. "Her eyes have
haunted me ever since. They----" His voice broke, and he proceeded
once more to blow his nose violently.

Mr. Callice went on to explain that after having seen the mare put
out of her misery, Sir John had motored over to his lodgings and
insisted that they should go together to Scotland Yard and demand
that something be done.

"Callice is Chairman of the Watchers' Committee," broke in Sir John.

"I should explain," proceeded Mr. Callice, "that some time ago we
formed ourselves into a committee to patrol th