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that the clay o' Dunbrody 'ud now be stoppin' his breath."

the

"Villain!" cried Sir William," you make

very same horrible allusion which you made when I was bound at your feet."

"Does your honour think so?"

"We have other proof, Sir," continued Sir Thomas: "a hat was picked up on the spot, by Mr. Rourke, which we can identify as his."

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Ay; ay; every thing thing coming home againt the Croppy-dog," said the magistrate. "We'll commit him for trial, after I've settled my own account with him ;—that is, if I do not pay him in full for all accounts;-ay, and be d-d! but here comes Saunders to tell me the car is ready."

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"Well," answered Nale, "sure there's enough about id, up an' down: an' see here; I don't care an ould fig for the whole o' ye;" suddenly starting up, and changing his manner from the sneering buffoon to the daring bravo,— I'll tell you the long an' the short iv id, Capt'n,” speaking aside. "They have no proof I was at the nate caption iv that bould blood, there; it's all nothin' but guess: an', whether I was or no, the duoul send 'em knowledge; so I

want to be goin' about my business-but I'll spake to you afore I go."

He suddenly darted to the door, and was in the hall in an instant. Captain Whaley pursued him close. But it was not Bill's intention to attempt an escape. He saw that such a measure was impracticable. Our astonished party, thus left alone in the magisterial chamber, expected to hear a scuffle abroad. No such thing occurred. Sir Thomas Hartley

The Captain and Bill,

stepped into the hall. he was informed, had quietly retired into another room, whither we will introduce the reader to witness part of the mystery that went forward.

"Well, 'tis read through an' through, your honour ?" asked Nale, alluding to a paper the Captain held in his hands.

"Yes, ay; be d-d! you are a useful man, I see.

Have you done much since you came to this part o' the country ?"

"A little-tell me, Capt'n, what's the rason you'd be listenin' to stories from sich as are vidin' there? We all know what the big priest is made iv; but did it never cross your mind, that Sir Thomas an' his son-in-law,

that 's to be, knew a little o' the sacrets o' the time ?"

"The old Croppy, I've long suspected; of Sir William, much is not whispered."

"An' yet there's one or two that thinks he'd have no objections to mount "the green," if he saw things turning up for id: th' ould grandfather didn't lave him many o' the acres clear o' charges, in one sort or another; an' a day like the day that's comin', might pay all debts an' bonds, or gain him some new acres that 'ud have nothin' to pay."

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Right, by

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! I'll keep an eye on him.'' "There isn't another Capt'n in Waxford County I'd budge to; but I'll put id in your way to do more than the whole o' them together. Not a Croppy, next or near, bud I'll scent out for you. What does your honour think iv comin' this blessed night, right a-head upon a barrell-bag full o' pikes ?"

"Where, eh? be d-d! a fine thing—a fine thing for the Ballybreehoone Cavalry — eh? where are they to be found ?"

"I'll be back to you afther night-fall wid the whole story; now I moost go look at 'em agin, to see if they 're safe, as I left 'em."

"I'll reward you handsomely-"

"Well; we b'lieve Masther Saundhers may keep his cat an' her kittens for them that wants em, now; an', Capt'n, the first job to be done, the moment I lave you, is to see some o' the boys, an' give 'em a little thrate; an', by the livin' farmer! I haven't as mooch as 'ud pay for a thimble-full."

"Here is a guinea-earnest, only, of your fair reward, when you merit it. How soon do we meet again?"

"About the dusk, I tould your honour,” answered Bill, buttoning up his guinea; "an' I moost always come in the dark, an' by the back way, too-the same way your honour 'ill let me out now, for rasons plain to be seen.'

"Yes-follow me."

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And accordingly Captain Whaley led his new ally to the back entrance of the house.

Our friends were not without suspicions of the nature of the private conference between him and the wretch Nale; and therefore did not feel utter astonishment when, in a few moments, the captain reappeared before them, saying, in his most magisterial and decided tone and manner, "I do not think it necessary, Sir Thomas, to follow up this obscure business any farther."

"Indeed? may I ask your reasons, Captain ?"

"Reasons I have; good ones, too."

"Has not the man been charged with mur

der ?"

"Without proof."

"Did he not almost confess his guilt ?" "I do not think so."

"And your reason for allowing him to escape us, is, because you do not think so?"

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That, and other private ones, not to be questioned, Sir Thomas. I will attend no farther to the case."

"Is this justice?” demanded Father Rourke ; "to screen a murderer because he turns informer ?"

"Priest Rourke, you'll have enough to do to look to yourself: be d--d, Sir! I tould you as much before."

"Oh, good morning to your Captainship ;" and the priest strode out of the room.

"Such conduct I cannot regard but as disgraceful," resumed Sir Thomas.

66 And you may as well take care o' your own conduct, Mr. Baronet Hartley."

"What! no redress for me against a common assassin ?" asked Sir William.

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