epers was
shot in the legs, and two of the poachers was a good deal knocked about.
They were mastered, and four of 'em are in the lock-up."

"But you said Pete was taken."

"Yes, sir, he's one of 'em; and that arn't the worst of it."

"Then what is?"

"His dog flew at one of the keepers when they were holding Pete Warboys,
and the man shot him dead."

"Poor wretch!" said Tom.

"Ay, I'm real sorry about that dog, sir. He was a hugly one surelie,
but just think what a dog he'd ha' been if he'd been properly brought
up."

The news was true enough; and fresh tidings came the very next day to
Heatherleigh, Uncle Richard hearing that his brother had disposed of his
practice, and gone to live down at Sandgate for his health.

Then, as the days glided by, the report came of examinations before the
magistrates, which the Vicar attended.

"I went, Tom," he said, "because I was grieved about the young man, for
I tried again and again to wean him from his life; but nothing could be
done--everything was too black against him. He and the others have been
committed for trial, and Pete is sure to be severely punished."

"Perhaps it will be for the best, Mr Maxted," said Tom. "It will be a
very sharp lesson, and he may make a decent man after all."

"_Nil desperandum_," said the Vicar; "but I am afraid."

The trial came on, and Tom felt tempted to be present. It was not for
the sake of seeing his old enemy in the dock, but out of interest in his
fate, which on account of his youth resulted in the mildest sentence
given to a prisoner that day; and as soon as he heard it pronounced by
the judge, Pete rather startled the court by shouting loudly to Tom,
whom he had sat and watched all through--

"Good-bye, Master Tom; God bless yer!"

The next minute he was gone, and somehow the young astronomer went away
back home feeling rather sad, though he could not have explained why.

It was about a month later that a legal-looking letter arrived, directed
to him, beautifully written in the roundest and crabbiest of engrossing
hands.

It was from Pringle, telling how, thanks to Uncle Richard's letter of
recommendation, he was never so happy in his life, for he was in the
best of offices, and had the best of masters, who was a real gentleman,
with a wonderful knowledge of the law.

"You'd have taken to it, Mr Thomas, I'm sure, if you'd been under
him; but one never knows, and it wasn't to tell you this that I've
taken