And he politely turned the canvas towards her, whilst the boys made way.
"That was Bill Mumby—Bill the Kicker, as they call him," said Elspeth as she approached. "And so is this," she added, the instant she was near enough to see. "You've drawed him very true, sir, too."
"Then there remains no doubt," returned the Squire, summing up the evidence, and tapping briskly on the red-brick floor with his gold-headed cane. "We know whose door the mischief lies at now. The portrait does you credit, Grantley. You'll be a great man yet."
"Of whom it will be told in after days," said Grantley, not displeased, "that his first hit was made as a detective in the case of a country bumpkin versus a goose. Ah! Well, it remains to be seen whether or not it will be counted worthy of a place in the Academy."
"It shall certainly have a place in the Manor House," returned the Squire warmly, "if you will name your price."
So the picture found a purchaser before it was completed; and the young artist went out to his work well pleased.
[CHAPTER XII.]
BILL'S FUTURE.
HALF an hour later, the Squire stood before the door of Bill the Kicker's home.