"I think I have it," thought Oldroyd. "The man has been shot in a poaching affray. Where is it?" he said aloud. "Lars cottage through Lindham, sir. Tile roof." "Six miles away?" "Yes, sir; 'bout six miles." As Oldroyd spoke, he was busily thrusting a case or two and some lint into his pockets, and filling a couple of small phials; after which he buttoned up his coat and put out his lamp. "Now, then, my man, I must just call at the mill, and then I'm ready for you." "Going to walk, sir?" said the messenger. "No; I'm going to get the miller's pony. I'm sorry I can't offer to drive you back." "Never you mind about me, sir. I can get over the ground," said the man; and following Oldroyd down the lane, he stopped with him at a long low cottage, close beside the dammed up river, where a couple of sharp raps caused a casement to be opened. "You, doctor?" said a voice; and on receiving an answer in the affirmative, there was the word "catch," and Oldroyd cleverly caught a key attached by a string to a very large horse-chestnut. Then the casement was closed, and the two went round to the stable, where a stout pony's slumbers were interrupted, and the patient beast saddled and bridled and led out, ready to spread its four legs as far apart as possible when the young doctor mounted as if afraid of being pulled over by his weight. "Now, then," said Oldroyd, relocking the door, "forward as fast as you like. When you're tired I'll get down." "Oh, I sha'n't be tired," said the man, quietly; and he started off at a regular dog-trot. "That there pony'll go anywhere, sir, so I shall take the short cuts." "Mind the boggy bits, my man." "You needn't be skeard about them, sir; that there pony wouldn't near one if you tried to make him." Oldroyd nodded, and the man trotted to the front, the pony following, and, in spite of two or three proposals that they should change places, the guide kept on in the same untiring manner. Here and there, though, when they had passed the common, and were ascending the hills, the man took hold of the pony's mane, and trudged by the side; and during these times Oldroyd learned all about the fight in the fir wood. "Whose place was it at?" said Oldroyd at last. "Sir John Day's, sir." After that they proceeded in silence till they reached the first houses of a long, straggling hamlet, when a thought occurred to Oldroyd to which he at once gave utterance. "I say, my man, why didn't you go to Doctor Blunt? He was two miles nearer to you than I am." Caleb laughed hoarsely, and shook his head. Oldroyd checked his willing little mount at a long, low cottage beside the road, and went down the strip of garden. Three men were at the door, and they made way for him, touching their hats in a surly fashion as he came up. "Know how he is?" said Oldroyd, sharply.