The ever-watchful Bozzle was, of course, at his heels,--or rather, not at his heels on the first two miles of the journey; for Bozzle, with painful zeal, had made himself aware of all the facts, and had started on the Nuncombe Putney road half an hour before the Colonel's fly was in motion.

And when the fly passed him he was lying discreetly hidden behind an old oak.

The driver, however, had caught a glimpse of him as he was topping a hill, and having seen him about on the previous day, and perceiving that he was dressed in a decent coat and trousers, and that, nevertheless, he was not a gentleman, began to suspect that he was--somebody.

There was a great deal said afterwards about Bozzle in Mrs.Clegg's yard at Lessboro'; but the Lessboro' mind was never able to satisfy itself altogether respecting Bozzle and his mission.

As to Colonel Osborne and his mission, the Lessboro' mind did satisfy itself with much certainty.