had seen as we were entering
Stony Stratford my mind was in a fit state to expect something of this
kind. It was with a sigh of relief, therefore, that I did recognize
mine Irish messenger, which had so well fulfilled his mission. The
enormous fellow completely filled the door, as he stood upon the
threshold, cap in hand, awaiting a further command ere he did enter.

"Ah! Michael, it is thou."

"Divil anither," he replied, without moving a muscle.

I smiled at his serious humour, and asked him to enter and close the
door; for I knew from his manner that he had something to communicate.
"And now, Michael, I must thank thee for the speedy way in which thou
didst fulfil thy mission."

"Uh! yer honour, it's no thanks Oi desarve fer doin' moy dooty," and he
shifted from one foot to the other and struck his boot with his cap, as
though my thanks but made him to feel uneasy. With all his giant
strength he was at heart but a great boy.

"But what is now thy business with me? If there be aught that I can do
for thee thou hast but to ask and it is done, Michael."

"No, yer honour, it is not that," he replied. "Oi came but to till
thee, sor, that thoine armour--which was rusted some--hath bin clained
and is now ridy fer wear," said he, quickly, as he eyed Harleston
closely.

"What in the devil's name art thou talking about? Why, I have no
armour that is rusted."

"No, not now, sor," said he, with that same serene face. When he had
finished this, however, and saw Harleston's head thrown back, as my
friend stared at the ceiling, in an effort to refrain from laughing,
Michael raised his eyebrows, and jerked his head in Frederick's
direction.

"Ah! so that is the difficulty," said I, laughing. "'Tis my friend
thou fearest. Ah, Michael, I am proud of thy discretion," I continued,
as I walked over to where he stood, and slapped him on that shoulder
which stood out like a block of iron draped with cloth. And indeed one
might as well have struck a piece of steel as that shoulder with its
shirt of mail beneath the rough coarse jacket. "However, thou needst
not fear to speak out boldly before Sir Frederick, as I have no secret
that is unknown to him."

"In that case, sor, Oi must pray thoy pardon," said he, speaking to
Harleston; "but in these toimes, whin great min, as will as the common
folk, turn out to be divils it be moighty hard to pick out the honest
soul."

"Indeed thou art right, Michael, and it shall be