“And now,” said the General, “Doctor Browne here—my neighbour—will tell them not to do so any more—eh, Doctor, eh?”
“Certainly,” said the Doctor. “I’m sure it will not occur again.”
“No, no, of course not,” said the General. “Hopley, you can go. Stop! that ferret belongs to the boys, I think.”
“To you, Frank?” said my uncle.
“No, uncle, it’s his,” I said. “But I was helping to use it.”
“Hah! that’s better,” said my uncle sharply.
“I bought the ferret,” said Mercer, speaking for the first time, “but I don’t want it. I’ll give it to you, Bob.”
“Yes, yes, very wise of you, my lad. There, go now, Hopley,” said the General.
The keeper touched his forehead, and gave a look all round, then winked solemnly at Mercer and me, and left the room.
“Hah!” said the General; “then that little bit of business is settled, Doctor, eh? Just a word or two.”