If I were you I should write.'
"'That'll lose two days,' said I, 'and more if he isn't there,'
for I'd grown quite keen on this up-country manager, and I felt
that if I could get at him while the holidays were still on, a
little conviviality might help matters considerably.
"'Then,' said the doctor, 'I should get a quiet horse and ride.
You needn't use that hand.'
"'Can't I go by train?'
"'You can and you can't. You would still have to ride. I
suppose you're a horseman?'
"'Yes.'
"'Then I should certainly ride all the way. It's a delightful
road, through Whittlesea and over the Plenty Ranges. It'll give
you some idea of the bush, Mr. Raffles, and you'll see the
sources of the water supply of this city, sir. You'll see where
every drop of it comes from, the pure Yan Yean! I wish I had time
to ride with you.'
"'But where can I get a horse?'
"The doctor thought a moment.
"'I've a mare of my own that's as fat as butter for want of
work,' said he. 'It would be a charity to me to sit on her back
for a hundred miles or so, and then I should know you'd have no
temptation to use that hand.'
"'You're far too good!' I protested.
"'You're A. J. Raffles,' he said.
"And if ever there was a prettier compliment, or a finer instance
of even Colonial hospitality, I can only say, Bunny, that I never
heard of either.
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