These statements if true would seem to cast an unpleasant sidelight upon the character of my acquaintance of the Abbey Inn. I wondered if the "Jim" referred to was that "young Jim Corder" whose name seemed to be a standing joke with the man Hawkins (I learned later that it was so). And I wondered if Martin's mysterious references to certain patrons, whose patronage had damaged his business, might not have referred to the game-keeper. Moreover I now put a new construction upon Hawkins' sly amusement when I had inquired about the "shooting" in the neighborhood.
I began to grow keenly interested, and:
"Surely you took some steps in the matter?" I asked.
"Oh, ah. My son Jim did. He lay for days for that there Gipsy Hawkins—but Hawkins was too wise for him."
"But," said I, "you could legally have claimed damages."
"Maybe," was the reply; "but I reckon they'd have asked what my son Jim was doing in the Park. Oh, ah, I reckon they would."
This point of view had not hitherto presented itself to me, but that it was a just one I did not doubt.
"What is the object of all this?" I asked. "Does Lady Coverly object to any one entering the grounds?"
"'Tain't Lady Coverly," confided the old man; "it's that there black doctor."
"What black doctor?" I exclaimed.