Yet from time to time, as was natural, he still made inquiries, which the Mouse began to find troublesome. He therefore consulted with his wicked friend the Horse, and they resolved that, as the half-year was approaching, and they had got sufficient money for what they wanted, it was better to delay the carrying out of their plot no longer, but to kill the Rabbit as soon as it could be managed--indeed that very day. "To whom shall we intrust the deed?" asked the Horse. "There would be too great a risk for either of us to undertake it, I fear. If we were discovered there would at once be an end of all our plans. Our money would be taken, and possibly our lives also." The Mouse considered for a moment, then he said: "I think I know the very fellow for the job. There is the Sentry who always stands in his wooden box. He is a chap who will do anything to vary the dulness of his life and earn a little money. He told me so the other day. He is both brave and wicked. Let _him_ him do the deed." "Very well," replied the Horse; "I think your idea is good. Will you arrange the matter so that it be carried out without any mistake?" "Leave it to me," replied the other. "You need not disturb yourself. The days of the Rabbit are numbered." "Good!" neighed the Horse; "and the quantity of my corn, oats,--besides carrots, apples, and other luxuries,--will be _beyond_ number. We'll at once open an account with the fruiterer and corn-dealer." "Also the cheese-monger," said the Mouse. "Well, I must go; there is not a moment to be lost if we wish to carry out our plan." Then he hurried off to the Sentry. "Sentry," said he, "are you prepared to run some risk for the sake of money?" "For the sake of money I'm prepared to do anything," said the wicked fellow. "Then listen," said the Mouse. "There is a sum of money that, strictly speaking, ought to be divided between the Rabbit and myself. But the best way appears to be that I should have it all. But that is a little difficult so long as he is alive. So I come to you to ask you if you will kill him, provided I fill your knapsack with gold." "Upon that condition, yes," said the ruffian. "But don't attempt to break it, or I shall put an end to you as well as your friend." "Never fear. Rest assured you shall have it," said the Mouse.