quarrelling--or what
you very properly call bad blood?"

"Indeed I did then."

"I b'lieve Mr. Macdermot--that's the prisoner--had great trust in
you; hadn't he?"

"I believe he had."

"You knew all the affairs about the estate?"

"I b'lieve I did."

"He told you all his troubles--all his money difficulties, didn't
he?"

"One way or other, I b'lieve I knew the most on 'em."

"Particularly as to the money due on his father's property, which
Keegan had to receive; he used to talk to you confidentially about
those things?"

"Well, and av he did?"

"But he did so; didn't he?"

"Faix, but I don't know what you're afther; I b'lieve he towld me all
about everything."

"I believe he did indeed; and now I'll tell you what I'm after. Mr.
Macdermot, unfortunately believing you to be an honest man, told you
all his plans and secrets, which you, in consideration of certain
pay, which you call Christmas-boxes, sold to the man whom you knew to
be your master's enemy; isn't that the fact now?"

"No, it a'nt."

"Ah, but I say it is the fact; and now do you suppose any jury will
believe a word you've said, after having shown yourself guilty of
such treachery as that. Do you expect the jury to believe you?"

"'Deed I do--every word; Lord bless you, they knows me."

"Now, then, tell me. Can you recall any conversation between yourself
and Mr. Keegan since the death of Captain Ussher, relative to this
trial?"

"I can."

"More than one, perhaps?"

"Oh, lor yes; twenty maybe."

"Will you tell us any particulars you may remember of the last?"

A long conversation then ensued, but Mr. O'Malley could only elicit
that Brady had, of his own accord, informed his master of all he knew
on the subject, and that he had done so because he thought it right.
He admitted, however, that Mr. Keegan had expressed a desire that the
prisoner might be hung. A great many questions were then asked as to
the present holding of Ballycloran, to which Brady answered, stating
with tolerable accuracy the manner in which Larry at present lived
on the property, and the hold which Keegan had upon it. He, moreover,
stated that the house was in a very bad state of repair, and that
most of the tenants who were left on the property were unable to
pay their rent. He then, after much hesitation, owned that he had
overheard what had taken place between Keegan and Thady in the
avenue, on the day when the attorney had called at Ballycloran--that
he h