pipes were re-lighted. Everybody wished that Mr. Masters might be
got to say that he would not take the case, but there was a
delicacy about asking him. "If I remember right he was in Rufford
Gaol once," said Runciman.

"He was let out on bail and then the matter was hushed up somehow,"
said the attorney.

"It was something about a woman," continued Runciman. "I know that
on that occasion he came out an awful scoundrel."

"Don't you remember," asked Botsey, "how he used to walk up and
down the covert-side with a gun, two years ago, swearing he would
shoot the fox if he broke over his land?"

"I heard him say it, Botsey," said Twentyman. "It wouldn't have
been the first fox he's murdered," said the doctor.

"Not by many," said the landlord.

"You remember that old woman near my place?" said Stubbings. "It
was he that put her up to tell all them lies about her turkeys. I
ran it home to him! A blackguard like that! Nobody ought to take
him up."

"I hope you won't, Mr. Masters;" said the doctor. The doctor was as
old as the attorney, and had known him for many years. No one else
could dare to ask the question.

"I don't suppose I shall, Nupper," said the attorney from his