Mary could not help laughing.
'The beggar—I mean the fellow—must have muscles like ivy roots,' Will blurted out admiringly.
'I fancy,' said Dowton, 'that I have seen him near the gates several times during the last week.'
'Very likely,' said the colonel shortly. 'I caught him poaching in the Dome some months ago. There is something bad about that man.'
'Papa!' said Mary.
At this moment Greybrooke entered.
'So, Mr. Greybrooke,' said the colonel, 'I hear you have been in Silchester avenging an insult.'
The captain looked at Will, who nodded.
'I went there,' admitted Greybrooke, blushing, 'to horsewhip a reporter fellow, but he had run away.'
'Run away?'