’That is no concern of yours, Master Larry,’ answered Charles, roughly. ’You will live to see me Squire at Coombe Park; and when I’m there, curse me if I don’t offer you the place of game-keeper to keep off rogues. An old poacher is the best keeper.’ ’You cur!’ exclaimed Hillary, blazing up. ’This is my game.’ He swung the dead dog about, and struck Charles on the cheek with the carcass so violently as to knock him into the hedge. ’This is my game. Your master’s dog, which has been worrying and killing your father’s lambs whilst you have been boozing in a tavern.’ ’By George!’ swore Charles, with difficulty picking himself up. ’I’ll break your cursed neck, I will.’ But Larry had gone on his way by the time Charles had regained equilibrium. ’This is the second time he’s struck me down,’ said Charles, and next moment a great stone passed Larry, then another struck the dead dog on his back with sufficient force to have stunned him had it struck his head. He turned and shouted angrily, ’You tipsy blackguard, heave another, and I’ll shoot. The gun is loaded.’ ’And, by George! I’ll break your neck!’ yelled Charles after him. *CHAPTER XX.* *A FIVE-POUND NOTE.* No sooner had Hillary got the guinea for shooting the sheep-killer than he went to the cottage and offered half to Honor Luxmore. She refused it, and would by no persuasion be induced to accept it. ’No, Larry, no—a thousand times no. You redeemed my cloak, and will not let me pay you for that. I will not touch a farthing of this well-earned prize.’ Then Larry went to Tavistock and expended part of the money in the purchase of a handsome silk kerchief, white with sprigs of lilac, and slips of moss-rose on it. He returned in the carrier’s van instead of waiting for his father, who remained to drink with other farmers. This entailed the walking up of the hills. When he got out for this object, he left his parcel on the seat. On his return he found the women within sniggering. ’Don’t y’ be offended at us now,’ said one. ’But it is just so. Your parcel came open of herself wi’ the jolting of the Vivid, and us couldn’t help seeing what was inside. Us can’t be expected to sit wi’ our eyes shut. ’Taint in reason nor in nature. I must say this—’tis a pretty kerchief, and Kate Luxmore will look like a real leddy in it o’ Sunday, to be sure.’ Then the rest of the women laughed. Hillary coloured, and was annoyed. The parcel had not come open of itself. The women’s inquisitive fingers had opened it, and their curious eyes had examined the contents. They had rushed to the conclusion that the kerchief was intended for Kate—Larry was much about with the maiden, they were always teasing each other, laughing together, and Hillary had been several evenings to the carrier’s cottage guarding the lambs and sheep.