"I will explain it," said his son in a subdued voice.  "The other day, young Saunders, Gregson, and myself were discussing which of us was the best shot, and best at a race and a jump.  `Well,' said I, `we can easily put it to the test.  Let us meet to-morrow on Marley Heath and have it out.'  So we brought our guns with us next day; and Saunders and Gregson brought a few other fellows with them to look on and see all fair.  We three fired at a mark, and leapt over a rod hung across two poles, and tried who was best runner over a hundred yards; and I won the day in all three things.  So, as we were sitting down in the little roadside inn, where we all had some eggs and bacon and bread and cheese together for lunch, Gregson said to the other fellows, `Why, our friend Walter here might challenge the whole county.'  `That he might; and win too,' said more than one of them.  `I don't know,' I said; `but I shouldn't mind offering a sovereign to any working-man in the neighbourhood who would beat me.'  `Good,' said Saunders; `there's many a working-man that would like to have a try for your sovereign; and it would be capital fun to see the match come off.'  `What do you say to putting an advertisement in the county paper to that effect?' said Gregson.  `Not I,' I said; `I shall do nothing of the sort.'  `Ah, he's backing out,' said Saunders.  `Indeed, I'm not,' I cried; `I meant what I said.'  `Well, will you let me put the advertisement in in your name? Don't be modest, man; you're sure to win,' said Gregson.  `You can do so if you like,' I replied; `I have no intention to go back from my word.' I said this half in joke and half in earnest, and no doubt we were all a little excited with the sport and with the lunch; but I never dreamed that Gregson was serious when he talked about putting in the advertisement in my name, and I shall not soon forgive him for getting me into such a fix.  So, father, that's just all about it."