afterwards.  Sometimes brutal, sometimes grotesque, the love of sport is still one of the great agencies which make for the happiness of our people.  It lies very deeply in the springs of our nature, and when it has been educated out, a higher, more refined nature may be left, but it will not be of that robust British type which has left its mark so deeply on the world.  Every one of these raddled workers, slouching with his dog at his heels to see something of the fight, was a true unit of his race.

It was a squally May day, with bright sunbursts and driving showers.  Montgomery worked all morning in the surgery getting his medicine made up.

“The weather seems so very unsettled, Mr. Montgomery,” remarked the doctor, “that I am inclined to think that you had better postpone your little country excursion until a later date.”

“I am afraid that I must go to-day, sir.”

“I have just had an intimation that Mrs. Potter, at the other side of Angleton, wishes to see me.  It is probable that I shall be there all day.  It will be extremely inconvenient to leave the house empty so long.”

“I am very sorry, sir, but I must go,” said the assistant, doggedly.

The doctor saw that it would be useless to argue, and departed in the worst of bad tempers upon mission.  Montgomery felt easier now that he was gone.  He went up to his room, and packed his running-shoes, his fighting-drawers, and his cricket sash into a hand-bag.  When he came down, Mr. Wilson was waiting for him in the surgery.  “I hear the doctor has gone.”

“Yes; he is likely to be away all day.”

“I don’t see that it matters much.  It’s bound to come to his ears by to-night.”

“Yes; it’s serious with me, Mr. Wilson.  If I win, it’s all right.  I don’t mind telling you that the hundred pounds will make all the difference to me.  But if I lose, I shall lose my situation, for, as you say, I can’t keep it secret.”

“Never mind.  We’ll see you through among us.  I only wonder the doctor has not heard, for it’s all over the country that you are to fight the Croxley Champion.  We’ve had Armitage up about it already.  He’s the Master’s backer, you know.  He wasn’t sure that you were eligible.  The Master said he wanted you whether you were eligible or not.  Armitage has money on, and would have made trouble if he could.  But I showed him that you came within the conditions of the challenge, and he agreed that it was all right.  They think they have a soft thing on.”

“Well, I can only do my best,” said Montgomery.

They lunched together; a silent and rather nervous repast, for Montgomery’s mind was full of what was before him, and Wilson had himself more money at stake than he cared to lose.