he possibility of his
receiving the rents on the whole property."

"Hint what you like, Daly, but don't tie me down to the infernal
ruffian. I suppose we can throw him overboard afterwards, can't we?"

"Why, not altogether, Mr Lynch. If I make him a definite promise, I
shall expect you to keep to it."

"Confound him!--but tell me, Daly; what is it he's to do?--and what is
it we're to do?"

"Why, Mr Lynch, it's more than probable, I think, that this plan of
Martin Kelly's marrying your sisther may have been talked over between
the ould woman, Moylan, and the young man; and if so, that's something
like a conspiracy. If I could worm that out of him, I think I'd manage
to frighten them."

"And what the deuce had I better do? You see, there was a bit of a row
between us. That is, Anty got frightened when I spoke to her of this
rascal, and then she left the house. Couldn't you make her understand
that she'd be all right if she'd come to the house again?"

While Barry Lynch had been sleeping off the effects of the punch, Daly
had been inquiring into the circumstances under which Anty had left the
house, and he had pretty nearly learned the truth; he knew, therefore,
how much belief to give to his client's representation.

"I don't think," said he, "that your sister will be likely to come back
at present; she will probably find herself quieter and easier at the
inn. You see, she has been used to a quiet life."

"But, if she remains there, she can marry that young ruffian any moment
she takes it into her head to do so. There's always some rogue of a
priest ready to do a job of that sort."

"Exactly so, Mr Lynch. Of course your sister can marry whom she
pleases, and when she pleases, and neither you nor any one else can
prevent her; but still--"

"Then what the devil's the use of my paying you to come here and tell
me that?"

"That's your affair: I didn't come without being sent for. But I was
going to tell you that, though we can't prevent her from marrying if
she pleases, we may make her afraid to do so. You had better write her
a kind, affectionate note, regretting what has taken place between
you, and promising to give her no molestation of any kind, if she will
return to her own house,--and keep a copy of this letter. Then I will
see Moylan; and, if I can do anything with him, it will be necessary
that you should also see him. You could come over to Tuam, and meet
him in my office; and then I will try and force