‘I’m glad to know you, Larry,’ said Jack. ‘My name’s Blair—Jack Blair.’
‘I’m glad to know ye, comrade. I took a fancy to ye when I see ye fighting wid that mare of yers. And now, I want to know who was the mane thafe of the wurrld who played ye such a dhirty trick yesterday. I’m open to punch his head for him, whoever he is.’
Jack looked at Larry inquiringly.
‘Av coorse I haven’t tould ye yet. ‘Twas I, ye know, who caught the mare and held her when she was trying to kick her head off. The saddle had shifted, and after some of yers had come up and held the mare, one of yer sargints told me to fix the saddle again. When I undid the girths to twist the saddle round I found these;’ and the young Hussar produced from inside his jacket two large chestnut burrs, hard and prickly. ‘These had bin shoved in under the girths,’ he said, ‘and was prickin’ and tearin’ her till she was almost mad.’
Jack took the burrs in his hand. They were covered with bay hairs and stained with blood. An angry frown settled on his face.
‘This is too bad,’ he muttered.
‘Much too bad, comrade,’ said Larry earnestly. ‘The man who played ye that trick wanted ye to break yer neck.’
In a flash Jack recalled the fact of having seen Napper sneaking from the little arbour of the inn on the day before. Had he done this? It was just after that time that Dainty had grown so restless. Jack, however, determined to say nothing till he had proof.
Larry and Jack sat talking for some time, enjoying the sight of the hundreds of visitors to the camp, and laughing at many of the remarks they made about things military.
Suddenly Sergeant Linham appeared before them. ‘Ha, hum!’ he snorted. ‘Here, you 8th Hussar man, what are you doing here? The men are to keep in their own lines to-day; general order.’ And he blew violently down his nose.