“Hello,” he said waving to her. She waved back. “Are you out for a breath of fresh air?” he called up to her.
“It is not much better out here,” she replied.
He waved again and continued into the field. Up ahead, he saw a few of Harry’s cattle grazing. A few more were on the grass with their legs tucked under chewing their cud.
Chilton was suddenly surprised when he saw a dark figure moving amongst the cattle. But it was probably one of the staff doing whatever the staff does at night and did not give it another thought. He carried on with his walk, and rising up the side of a small hill, found a faint breeze at the top. It felt so delightfully cooling. He knelt down and sat at the base of a tree, leaning back against it and closing his eyes.
But his reverie was interrupted by strange groans coming from some of the cattle he had passed previously. He opened his eyes and stood up. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness by now and he could see the figure was still amongst the cattle. But something did not look right. Several of the cattle which had been standing before were now on their sides emitting those strange groans.
Chilton started running back toward the house, and as he approached, he could see Agatha was still on her balcony and he called up to her, “Something is wrong with the cattle. Can you find Harry and tell him he must come down here immediately?”
Agatha, who had been leaning the balustrade, stood up straight. “What did you say? There is a battle?”
“No… CATTLE…CATTLE… just get Harry and have him come out.”
Agatha disappeared, and it seemed like forever before Harry appeared with his nightshirt tucked into a hastily put on a pair of breeches, carrying a lantern.
“What is it?” he asked, “Aunt Agatha was mumbling something about the cattle and said you were agitated. What is the problem?”
“I think someone is harming your cattle in that field,” Chilton said, pointing to where he had just come from.
“Show me,” Harry said with concern.
Chilton ran ahead toward the field and Harry followed. As they arrived, Harry stopped and looked toward the cattle. “You are right. Something isnotright.”
Harry began running, and as they approached where the cattle had fallen, they saw a man look up, and seeing them, begin to run away.
“Stay here,” Harry shouted. He handed Chilton the lantern and lit out at a fast run after the man.
Chilton did not want to stay put and he followed after Harry, but further behind. Harry was a fast runner and he soon caught up with the man and launched forward, grabbing the man, and forcing him to the ground. Chilton ran up behind and cast the light from the lantern upon the two of them.
“Who are you?” Harry asked, “And what are you doing here?”
“He is not one of your men?” Chilton asked?
“No.”
“Let me go. I ain’t done nothin’” the man cried out as he struggled.
“Not certain about that, my man,” Harry said as he stood up, grabbed hold of the man, and pulled him up. “Then why are some of my cattle flat out on the ground?”
“Just taking a short-cut through the field. Know nothin’ ‘bout your cattle.”
“Come on, then. Let us take a look. And if nothing is wrong, then off you go.”
Chilton, held the lantern and led the way back toward the cattle; the man resisted as Harry dragged him along.
When they reached the prone animals, Harry said, “Good Lord! Two of these are dead and one almost is.” He grabbed the man by the shoulders and shook him. “What have you done? Have you poisoned them?”
“It weren’t me. I was paid to do it,” the man said, pleading.
“Who would want to do such a thing?” Harry asked, shaking the man again.
The poor man was obviously scared. He was an older man, frail, thin and shuddering with fear now. “I cannot say. He will harm my family if I tell you.”
“You had better tell me or I swear I shall call the constable and your family will be in even worse shape with you in a cell for a long time—or hanged.”
Harry turned to Chilton and said, “Go to the barn and fetch my manager. Tell him what has happened and have him come here immediately with his medicine bag.”
