The following afternoon he was engaged in driving into the ground a series of hurdles to keep the cattle from the pheasant coverts, when he was approached by Mr. Langton.
"Hard at work, Jim?" asked the Judge.
"Yes, sir," said Jim, touching his cap. "These are the old hurdles we brought up from Boot's Hollow."
"That's a useful weapon, anyhow," said the Judge, indicating the crowbar with which Jim was working.
"Yes, sir, it's a handy tool, and sharp in the bargain."
At that the Judge wished the boy "Good-night!" and went his way towards the house. Hardly had he departed than Captain von Hardenberg brushed his way through some thickets near at hand, and approached the young gamekeeper. He must certainly have overheard the conversation that had passed between Jim Braid and the Judge.
"Braid," said he, "would you mind lending me that crowbar?"
"I've finished with it to-night, sir," said Braid, "but I shall want it to-morrow morning."
"I'll let you have it back by then," said the other. And taking the unwieldy tool from Jim's hands, he walked with it towards the house.
No sooner was he out of sight, however, than he dropped down upon a knee and looked furtively about him, as if to satisfy himself that he was not observed. Then he thrust the crowbar down a rabbit-hole, the mouth of which he covered over with several fronds of bracken. That done, he walked quickly towards the house.