rightly in putting his shirt on Mumblin' Mose in a forthcoming handicap, as he had been advised to do by a metropolitan friend who claimed to be in the confidence of the trainer! John, recovering from the shock, answered in the affirmative; and a long and stately exchange of ideas on the subject of Current Form ensued. At dinner, a few days later, the butler, leaning over John to help him to sherry, murmured softly:—
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"He had gone dumbly round the links with her."
"Romped 'ome, sir, thanking you, sir," and from that moment had intimated by his manner that John might consider himself promoted to the rank of an equal and a friend.
"Excuse me, sir," said the butler, "but Frederick, who 'as charge of your packing, desired me to ask you what arrangements you wished made with regard to the dog, sir."
The animal in question was a beautiful bulldog, Reuben by name. John had brought him to the country at the special request of Aline, who had met him in London and fallen an instant victim to his rugged charms.
"The dog?" he said. "Oh, yes. Tell Frederick to put his leash on. Where is he?"
"Frederick, sir?"
"No, Reuben."
"Gruffling at 'is lordship, sir," said Keggs, tranquilly, as if he were naming some customary and recognized occupation for bulldogs.
"Gruffling at? What!"
"'Is lordship, sir, 'ave climbed a tree, and Reuben is at the foot, gruffling at 'im, very fierce."
John stared.
"'Is lordship, sir," continued Keggs, "'as always been uncommon afraid of dogs, from boy'ood up. I'ad the honour to be employed has butler some years ago by 'is father, Lord Stockleigh, and was enabled at that time to observe Lord 'Erbert's extreme aversion for animals of that description. 'Is huneasiness in the presence of even 'er ladyship's toy Pomeranian was 'ighly marked and much commented on in the servants' 'all."
"So you had met Lord Herbert before?"
"I was butler at the Castle a matter of six years, sir."
"Well," said John, with some reluctance, "I suppose we must get him out of that tree. Fancy being afraid of old Reuben! Why, he wouldn't hurt a fly."
"'E 'ave took an uncommon dislike to 'is lordship, sir," said Keggs.
"Where's the tree ?"
"At the lower hend of the terrace, sir. Beyond the nood statoo, sir."
John ran in the direction indicated, his
Vol. xl.—24.
