ingenuity; but I am exceedingly sorry the bird we were after has escaped.
However, as that cannot be helped or amended just now, we will proceed with
the rest of our work."

"What hour of the night is it?"

"About one o'clock; and that reminds me of the fact that we will not have
time to take all the stock to-night; we shall, therefore, confine our
operations to a single item--the taking of Mandeville's horse."

"Mandeville's?"

"Yes; why not?"

"I thought your honor was playing for another stake in that quarter?"

"And if I am?"

"Why, I just thought it was a queer way of gaining the old gentleman's good
will--that thing of taking his horse."

"Not so queer as you might think for."

"Oh! I remember now; excuse me; this Hadley was to be made the scapegoat;
you were to get a horse and have the blame of the theft thrown on a rival,
whose non-appearance should condemn him. I see it all now, though I did not
perceive this delicate undercurrent in the plan of affairs. Lieutenant
Duffel against the world, I say!"

"Silence! Dick, you are familiar with Mr. Mandeville's premises, I