fore his feet had touched the platform, he was
greeted by a plain, middle-aged man, of medium height and broad of build,
whose hair was reddish-brown and his whiskers brownish-red, while his
tanned and glowing face bore ample evidence of an out-door life. He had
the appearance of a good-natured, intelligent, and trustworthy man. This
was John Gray, the agent of the property; and "Cobbler" Horn liked him
from the first.

"It's only a mile and a half to the village sir," said the man, as they
mounted the trap which was waiting outside the station; "and we shall soon
run along."

The trap was a nondescript and dilapidated vehicle, and the horse was by
no means a thoroughbred. But the whole turn-out was faultlessly clean.

"It's rather a crazy concern, sir," said Mr. Gray candidly. "But you
needn't be afraid. It will hold together for this time, I think."

"Cobbler" Horn smiled somewhat sadly, as he mounted to his seat. Here was
probably an instalment of much with which he was destined to meet that
day.

"Wake up, Jack!" said Mr. Gray, shaking the reins. The appearance of
the animal indicated that it was necessary for him to take his master's
injunction in a literal sense. He awoke with a start, and set off at a
walking pace, from which, by dint of much persuasion on the part of his
driver, he was induced to pass into a gentle trot.

"He never goes any faster than that," said the agent.

"Ah!" ejaculated "Cobbler" Horn. "But we must try to get you something
better to drive about in than this, Mr. Gray."

"Thank you, sir. It will be a good thing."

As they slowly progressed along the pleasant country road, the agent gave
his new employer sundry particulars concerning the property of which he
had become possessed.

"Nearly all the village belongs to you, sir. There's only the church and
vicarage, and one farm-house, with a couple of cottages attached, that are
not yours. But you'll find your property in an awful state. I've done what
I could to patch it up; but what can you do without money?"

"I hope, Mr. Gray," said the new proprietor, "that we shall soon rectify
all that."

"Of course you will, sir," said the candid agent. "It's very painful," he
added, "to hear the complaints the people make."

"No doubt. You must take me to see some of my tenants; but you must not
tell them who I am."

"There's a decent house!" he remarked presently, as they came in sight
of a comfortable-looking residence, which stood o