that he did not care a —­ for Jack Runce.  He knew as much about pace as any farmer, or for the matter of that any gentleman, in Ufford or Rufford, and the pace for forty minutes had been very good.  Nevertheless all the party were convinced that the “thing” had been so slow that it had not been worth riding to;—­a conviction which is not uncommon with gentlemen when they have missed a run.  In all this discussion poor Larry took no great part though he knew the country as well as any one.  Larry had not as yet got over the awe inspired by the lord in his black coat.

Perhaps Larry’s happiest moment in the evening was when Runciman himself brought in the soup, for at that moment Lord Rufford put his hand on his shoulder and desired him to sit down,—­and Runciman both heard and saw it.  And at dinner, when the champagne had been twice round, he became more comfortable.  The conversation got upon Goarly, and in reference to that matter he was quite at home.  “It’s not my doing,” said Lord Rufford.  “I have instructed no one to keep him locked up.”

“It’s a very good job from all that I can hear,” said Tom Surbiton.

“All I did was to get Mr. Masters here to take up the case for me, and I learned from him to-day that the rascal had already agreed to take the money I offered.  He only bargains that it shall be paid into his own hands,—­no doubt desiring to sell the attorney he has employed.”

“Bearside has got his money from the American Senator, my Lord,” said Larry.

“They may fight it out among them.  I don’t care who gets the money or who pays it as long as I’m not imposed upon.”

“We must proceed against that man Scrobby,” said Glomax with all the authority of a Master.

“You’ll never convict him on Goarly’s evidence,” said the Lord.

Then Larry could give them further information.  Nickem had positively traced the purchase of the red herrings.  An old woman in Rufford was ready to swear that she herself had sold them to Mrs. Scrobby.  Tom Surbiton suggested that the possession of red herrings was not of itself a crime.  Hampton thought that it was corroborative.  Captain Batsby wanted to know whether any of the herrings were still in existence, so that they could be sworn to.  Glomax was of opinion that villainy of so deep a dye could not have taken place in any other hunting country in England.

“There’s been strychnine put down in the Brake too,” said Hampton.

“But not in cartloads,” said the Master.

“I rather think,” said Larry, “that Nickem knows where the strychnine was bought.  That’ll make a clear case of it.  Hanging would be too good for such a scoundrel” This was said after the third glass of champagne, but the opinion was one which was well received by the whole company.  After that the Senator’s conduct was discussed, and they all agreed that in the whole affair that was the most marvellous circumstance.  “They must be queer people over there,” said Larry.