n the story and
it had been broken down. There was a heifer calf and a number of young
pigs. There was a field of oats trampled and destroyed by the heifer,
and a potato patch ruined beyond hope by the pigs. There was a sheep
torn by a dog, stones thrown at Mrs. Joyce, language that had defiled
the ears of Molly Joyce, an innocent child of twelve years old, and
there was the shooting of a gun at Peter himself.

Joyce was prepared to swear to every item of the indictment. He did
actually swear from time to time, laying his hand solemnly on a large
ledger which stood on Mr. Madden's desk. Mr. Madden listened until he
had heard enough.

"You haven't a ghost of a case against Flanagan," he said. "The judge
won't listen to a story like that. If you take my advice you'll go
straight home and make it up with Flanagan. You'll simply waste your
money if you go into court."

Mr. Madden, it will be seen, was a man of principle. He made his
living out of other people's quarrels, but he gave honest advice to his
clients. He was also a man of wide knowledge of West of Ireland fanners.
He knew perfectly well that his advice would not be taken.

"I've the money to pay for it," said Joyce, "and I'll have the law of
Patrick Joseph Flanagan if it costs me the last penny I own. If your
honour doesn't like the case sure I can go to someone else."

Mr. Madden, though a man of principle, was not quixotic.

"Very well," he said. "I'll manage your case for you; but I warn you
fairly the judge will give it against you."

"He might not," said Joyce. "In the latter end he might not."

"He will," said Mr. Madden, "unless----"

He was watching Joyce carefully as he spoke. The man's face had an
expression of cunning and self-satisfaction.

"Unless," Mr. Madden went on, "you've something up your sleeve that you
haven't told me yet."

Joyce winked solemnly.

"It's what it would be hardly worth mentioning to your honour," he said.

"You'd better mention it all the same," said Mr. Madden.

"What I was thinking," said Joyce, "is that if I was to send a pair of
ducks to the judge a couple of days before the case was to come on--fine
ducks we have, as fine as ever was seen."

"Listen to me," said Mr. Madden. "You've got the very smallest possible
chance of winning your case. But you have a chance. It's a hundred to
one against you. Still, odd things do happen in courts. But let me tell
you this. I know that judge. I've known him for years,