In the matter the Major had certainly been well advised. A rumour had come become prevalent among sporting circles that Silverbridge had refused to condemn the Major. It was known that he had paid his bets without delay, and that he had, to some extent, declined to take advice from the leaders of the Jockey Club. The Major's friends were informed that the young lord had refused to vote against him at the club. Was it not more than probable that if this matter were referred to him he would refuse to give a verdict against his late partner?
The Major sat down, put on his cap, and folded his arms akimbo, with his horn sticking out from his left hand. For a time there was a general silence, broken, however, by murmurs in different parts of the room. Then Mr Jawstock whispered something into the ear of the Chairman, and Mr Topps, rising from his seat, suggested to Tifto that he should retire. 'I think so,' said Jawstock. 'The proposition that you have made can only be discussed only in your absence.' Then the Major held a consultation with one of his friends, and after that did retire.
When he was gone the real hubbub of the meeting commenced. There were some there who understood the nature of Lord Silverbridge's feelings in the matter. 'He would be the last man in England to declare him guilty,' said Mr Jawstock. 'Whatever my lord says, he shan't ride across my land,' said a farmer in the background. 'I don't think any gentleman ever made a fairer proposition,--since anything was anything,' said a friend of the Major's, a gentleman who kept livery stables in Long Acre. 'We won't have him here,' said another farmer,--whereupon Mr Topps shook his head sadly. 'I don't think any gentleman ought to be condemned without a 'earing,' said one of Tifto's admirers, 'and where you're to get anyone to hunt in the country like him, I don't know as anybody is prepared to say.' 'We'll manage that,' said a young gentleman from the neighbourhood of Bagshot, who thought that he could hunt the country himself quite as well as Major Tifto. 'He must go from here; that's the long and short of it,' said Mr Jawstock. 'Put it to the vote, Mr Jawstock,' said the livery-stable keeper. Mr Topps, who had had great experience in public meetings, hereupon expressed an opinion that they might as well go to a vote. No doubt he was right if the matter was one which must sooner or later be determined in that manner.
Mr Jawstock looked round the room trying to calculate what might be the effect of a show of hands. The majority was with him; but he was well aware that of this majority some few would be drawn away by the apparent justice of Tifto's proposition. And what was the use of voting? Let them vote as they might, it was out of the question that Tifto should remain master of the hunt. But the chairman had acceded, and on such occasions it is difficult to go against the chairman.
Then there came a show of hands,--first for those who desired to refer the matter to Lord Silverbridge, and afterwards for Tifto's direct enemies,--for those who were anxious to banish Tifto out of hand, without reference to anyone. At last the matter was settled.
To the great annoyance of Mr Jawstock and the farmers the meeting voted that Lord Silverbridge should be invited to give his opinion as to the innocence or guilt of his late partner.
The Major's friends carried the discussion out to him as he sat on horseback, as though he had altogether gained the battle and was secure in his position as Master of the Runnymede Hunt for the next dozen years. But at the same time there came a message from Mr Mahogany Topps. It was now half-past two, and Mr Topps expressed a hope that Major Tifto would not draw the country on the present occasion. The Major, thinking that it might be as well to conciliate his enemies, road slowly and solemnly home to Tally-ho Lodge in the middle of his hounds.
