ere by no means fresh from the tailor.

The last individual whose interview with the conjurer we shall notice
was no other than Harry Woodward, our hero. On entering he took his
seat, and looked familiarly at the conjurer.

"Well," said he, "there was no recognition?"

"How could there?" replied the other; "you know the thing's impossible;
even without my beard, nobody in the town or about it knows my face,
and to those who see me in character, they have other things to think of
than the perusal of my features."

"The girl was with you?"

"She yes, and I feel that, unless we can get Shawn-na-Middogue taken off
by some means or other, your life will not, cannot, be safe."

"She won't betray him, then? But I need not ask, for I have pressed her
upon that matter before."

"She is very right in not doing so," replied the conjurer; "because, if
she did, the consequence would be destruction to herself and her family.
In addition to this, however, I don't think it's in her power to betray
him. He never sleeps more than one night in the same place; and since
her recent conduct to him--I mean since her intimacy with you--he would
place no confidence in her."

"He certainly is not aware of our intimacy."

"Of course he is not; you would soon know it to your cost if he were.
The place of your rendezvous is somewhat too near civilization for him;
you should, however, change it; never meet twice in the same place, if
you can."

"You are reaping a tolerably good harvest here, I suppose. Do they ever
place you in a difficulty?"

"Difficulty! God help you; there is not an individual among them, or
throughout the whole parish, with whose persons, circumstances, and
characters I am not acquainted; but even if it were not so, I could make
them give me unconsciously the very information they want--returned to
them, of course, in a new shape. I make them state the facts, and I draw
the inferences; nothing is easier; it is a trick that every impostor is
master of. How do you proceed with Miss Goodwin?"

"That matter is hopeless by fair means--she's in love with that d----d
brother of mine."

"No chance of the property, then?"

"Not as affairs stand at present; we must, however, maintain our
intimacy; if so, I won't despair yet."

"But what do you intend to do? If she marries your brother the property
goes to him--and you may go whistle."

"I don't give it up, though--I bear a brain still, I think; but the
truth is, I hav