to borrow keepers and
dogs."

It was then that the fun began. The Officer went off like a shot
up the hillside, started the old cock, chased him up the ditch and
through the hedge, and finally, to everyone's surprise and delight,
collared him in a corner of the dyke. There were loud cheers from the
enthusiastic crowd, but they were cut short by a sharp warning from
Walter.

"Be careful how you handle that bird, Sir!" he cried. "If anything
happens to him I shall hold you responsible. I have no reason to
believe that you hold a licence (or certificate) to kill game. If he
suffers a mortal injury I shall report you."

The Officer began to look rather bewildered and the old cock flapped
his wings.

"I'll thank you for that bird," said Walter firmly, and he took it and
tucked it comfortably under his arm.

"What are you going to do with it?" asked the Officer.

"I am going to nurse it back to health and strength," said Walter. "It
only requires a little close attention. I shall be happy if you will
call in about a week's time to enquire. Good afternoon. I am very
pleased to have met you." And Walter held out his hand.

Well, that is where the matter rests. If Walter can keep the bird
alive the case against him falls to the ground. If not, I suppose it
means a three-pound licence and a ten-pound fine. He took him straight
back to the Home Farm and secured for him dry and airy quarters in the
poultry run, and did not leave him till he had seen to his comfort in
every way and given minute directions as to his treatment....

I am afraid the old cock passed a rather restless night, but he was
able to take part of a warm mash, with two drops of laudanum in it, at
an early hour this morning. At this moment I hear Walter getting out
his motor-bicycle. I fancy he is going for the vet.

* * * * *

Says Mr. CLEMENT SHORTER:--

"There is a journal in London which has the impertinence to
call itself _The Nation_, but ... it does not represent the
merest fraction of our countrymen."

Mr. SHORTER's own paper is called, more modestly, _The Sphere_.

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE FUTURE OF BRITISH BOXING.

_Rough_ (_to policeman who has knocked him down_). "WELL, IT'S WORF
IT. TO ME BELONGS THE CREDIT OF 'AVIN' DISCOVERED A BLOOMIN' WHITE
'OPE."]

* * * * *

[Illustration: GETTING USED TO THE "SMILING EXPRESSION."