"
"Don't you dare kick that watch. It's a hundred years old."
"Far be it from me to take advantage of anything so old. Don't you
want it any longer?"
"Certainly, sir. I wouldn't part from it."
"Then why don't you come over and get it? Do you expect me to break
the rule by coming over on to your land to hand it to you?"
"I shouldn't call _that_ trespassing, don't you know," began his
lordship.
"Ah? Nevertheless, if you want this watch you'll have to come over and
get it."
"By Jove, now, that's a demmed mean trick. I'm mounted. Beastly
annoying. I say, would you mind _tossing_ it up to me?"
"I wouldn't touch it for ten dollars. By the way, I'll just read this
note of yours." Lord Bazelhurst nervously watched him as he read; his
heart lightened perceptibly as he saw a good-humored smile struggle to
the tall young man's face. It was, however, with some misgiving that
he studied the broad shoulders and powerful frame of the erstwhile
poacher. "Very good of you, I'm sure, to warn me."
"Good of me? It was imperative, let me tell you, sir. No man can abuse
my servants and trample all over my land and disturb my fish--"
"Excuse me, but I haven't time to listen to all that. The note's
sufficient. You've been practising the running mount until it looks
well nigh perfect to me, so I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll step back
thirty paces and then you come over and get the watch--if you're not
afraid of me--and I'll promise--"
"Afraid? Demmit, sir, didn't I say I was Lord Bazelhurst? Of the
Guards, sir, and the Seventy-first? Conf--"
"You come over and get the watch and then see if you can get back to
the horse and mount before I get to the log.
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