them
here and there with a sharp-pointed piece of wood, while to complete
the deception, he spoiled the appearance of his attire by daubing it
freely with dirt.

"I trow that will be enough," he murmured, as ceasing his labours he
complacently gazed upon the transformation he had effected; "but no!"
he added, "I had best be on the safe side," and he gently scratched
his hands to give himself the appearance of having passed through a
long and stern struggle.

"A bruise or two would improve my appearance considerably," he added,
"but then bruises hurt and are apt to turn awkward; I think I might
safely spare myself the pain; but I might, at all events, break my
whip-stock and carry the end of it back;" and having settled these
points to his own satisfaction, he mounted his saddle afresh, and
setting spurs to his horse he never drew rein until long after he had
passed out of the lane, and was well on the high road to Haddon.

As he neared the vicinity of the Hall he proceeded to put into
practice what yet remained unfinished of his disguise. He had treated
his own person, and now he turned his attention to the faithful steed
which had carried him often and well.

There was no time to waste. He had lost much precious time already. He
would have found little time in which to be sentimental had he been
so inclined, but such an idea never entered into his head, and pulling
his jack-knife out of his pocket, he opened the blade and stabbed the
horse in the shoulder.

As previously related, De la Zouch had thought of ornamenting himself
with a few slight bruises, but he had decided to forego whatever
advantages might accrue to him from such a course of conduct, but
now the matter was decided for him in a manner which he had never
considered.

It had never flashed upon the heated brain of the malignant knight
that wounding a horse was a very delicate operation to perform, and in
his reckless hurry he had never taken into account that such conduct
would be attended with any danger, or he would have proceeded to
accomplish his design in a more cautious fashion; and it was not until
the horse kicked out after the first blow that Sir Henry de la Zouch
became suddenly aware of the danger of his position. He had not the
power to stay the second thrust, and before he could retreat out of
danger he was sent sprawling into the hedge bottom.

Fortunately, the effects of the blow were considerably diminished,
inasmuch as its great