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Updated: June 15, 2025
"Three good useful horses, and the best-bred bull and cow in the marsh, squire," said Farmer Tallington, who had come over as soon as he heard the news. "Any idea who it could be?" "No," said the squire; "thank goodness, no. I don't want to find out the wretch's name, Tallington, for I'm a hot-tempered, passionate man." "It's the drain, neighbour, the drain," said the farmer, shaking his head.
And so to Tallington Brereton, arriving just after the solicitor had finished reading his morning's letters, poured out the whole story which he had learned from the ex-detective's scrap-book and from the memorandum made by Stoner in his pocket-book.
Those who watched them closely as Brereton and Tallington did noticed that neither took any notice of the other. Cotherstone had been placed in the dock first.
There was no false alarm, for the thatch was blazing so furiously, that at a glance the lookers-on saw that the stable and the cart lodge adjoining were doomed. "Did any one get out the horses?" roared Farmer Tallington. There was no answer, and the farmer rushed on up to the burning building through tiny patches of fire where the dry mouldering straw was set alight by the falling flakes.
"Yes," said Farmer Tallington, "there's something in that, but " "Come, neighbour, look ahead. Every foot that drain comes into the fen it will lower the level, and we shall see and before long our farm land grow, and the water sink." "Ye-es; but it's so like working for other people!" "Well," said the squire laughing, "what have you been doing in that half acre of close beside your house?"
As the words left his mouth there was a fierce snorting and trampling, and those at the door had only just time to draw back, as the two horses dashed frantically out, and then tore off at full gallop across the yard. "Winthorpe!" cried Farmer Tallington. "This way!"
"Yes; might have been worse," said the squire quietly. "Ay, neighbour, I began to think at one time," said Farmer Tallington, "that it was going to be very much worse, and that I was going to have to bear sad news across to the Toft; but we're spared that, squire, and I'm truly thankful. Feel better?" "Better! oh yes, I am not hurt!"
"I do." "But why should my men do such a dastardly act?" "To make the job last longer." "Nonsense, my dear sir! We have work before us that will last us for years, for this drain is only the first of many." "Then who is it who can it be?" "I think I've got an insight to-night," said Marston. "Tom Tallington saw a couple of men coming along the road and creep to the edge of the mere." "True!
"It's all gammon to call him ill, and for the doctor to keep coming," said Tom Tallington. "Oh, he is ill!" said Dick; "but you see he's only ill in one arm." Dick had only to propose a run out, and John Marston immediately seemed to forget that he was a man, became a boy for the time being, and entered into the spirit of their pursuits.
Tom Tallington looked eagerly at the straight-billed, long-legged, black-and-white bird, but shook his head, while Chip, the dog, who had seated himself with his nose close to the bunch, uttered one short sharp bark. "I say, Dave, what's this bird?" said Dick. The man did not turn his head, but stood staring at the fire, and said, in a husky voice, what sounded like "Scatcher!"
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