, 1924-03-26
CHAPTER TX

The two men left Soto's together,
very much In the fashion of two or
binary acquaintunces sallying out to
spend the evening together. Sir limo
thy's Rolls-Royce limousine was In at
tendance. and in a few minutes they
were threading the p~urlieus of Covent
Garden. 1t was here that an incident
occurred which afforded Francis con-
siderable food for thought during the
next few days.
1t was a Friday night. and one or
two wagons laden with vegetable
produce were already threading their
way through the difficult thorough
fares. Suddenly Sir Timothy, who was
looking out Of the window, pressed
the button Of the car, which was at
once brought to a standstill. Before
the footman could reach the door Sir
Timothy was out In the street. For
the first time Francis saw him angry.
His eyes were blazing. His voice
Francis had followed him at once into
the street-shook with passion. His
hand had fallen heavily upon the
shoulder. Of n huge carter, who, with
whip In hand, was belaboring a thin
scarecrow of a horse.
what the devil are you doing?" Sir
Timothy demanded.
The man stared Mt his questioner,
and the instructive antagonIsm of race
vibrated In his truculent reply. The
carter was a beery-faced. untidy-look-
ing brute, but powerfully built and
with huge shoulders. Sir Timothy,
straight as n dart. without overcoat or
any covering to his thin evening
clothes, looked like a stripping in front
of him.
"Tm whippin' 'er. II yer want to
know" was the carter's reply. "I've
got to get up the Ill, 'aven't I? earn
and mind yer own business!"
This is my business" Sir Timothy
declared, laying his hand upon the
neck of the horse. IT am an official
of the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Animals. You are laying
yourself open to a Inc for your treat
ment of this poor brute"
"Im lay myself open for n fine for
the treatment of something else, II
you don't quld old of my 'oss," the
carter retorted. throwing his whip
back Into the wagon and coming a
step nearer. "D'yer ear? l don't
want any swells interferln' with my
business. You 'op 1t. Is that strife
enough2 'op 1t. quick
Sir Timothy's anger seemed to have
abated. There was even the begin
ming of n smile upon his lips. All the
time his hand caressed the neck of
the horse. Francis noticed with
nmazement that the poor brute had
raised Its head and seemed to be max
Ing some faint effort Mt reciprocation.
my good man." Sir Timothy said.
''you seem to be one OF those brutal
persons unfit to be trusted with an
animal. However,"
The carter had heard quite enough.
Sir Timothy's o seemed TO madden
aim. He clenched his fist and rushed
In.
"You take that for interferin'. you
big ton !" he shouted.
The result OF the mans effort at
pughism was almost ridiculous. His
arms appeared to go round like wind
mills beating the air. II really seemed
MS though he had rushed upon the
point OF Sir Timothy's knuckles, which
had suddenly shot out like the piston
of an engine. The carter lay on his
back for n moment. Then he stag.
gcred ~viciously to his feet.
Don't" Sir Timothy begged. as he
saw signs Of another attack. 81 don't
want TO hurt you. / have been anna
teur champion Of two countries. Not
quite fair, Is 49,"
"Wot dyer want TO come interferin'
with a chaps business forT" the man
growled. dabbing his cheek with n
filthy handkerchief but keeping ut a
respectful distance.
at happens to be my business also"
Sir Timothy replied. Ito interfere
whenever l see animals ll.trented.
Now | don't want to be unreasonable.
That animal has done all the work II
ought to do In this world. How much
Is she worth to your"
THAT 'oss," he said. faint what she
WINS. It's true. but there's a lot Of work