say that Mr. Thaddeus Crowe was an honest, intelligent, and
peculiarly successful lawyer. Before he sat down to dinner Fred Neville
was closeted at the barracks with Mr. Crowe.

He began by explaining to Mr. Crowe who he was. This he did in order
that the attorney might know that he had the means of carrying out his
purpose. Mr. Crowe bowed, and assured his client that on that score he
had no doubts whatever. Nevertheless Mr. Crowe's first resolve, when he
heard of the earldom and of the golden prospects, was to be very careful
not to pay any money out of his own pocket on behalf of the young
officer, till he made himself quite sure that it would be returned to
him with interest. As the interview progressed, however, Mr. Crowe began
to see his way, and to understand that the golden prospects were not
pleaded because the owner of them was himself short of cash. Mr. Crowe
soon understood the whole story. He had heard of Captain O'Hara, and
believed the man to be as thorough a blackguard as ever lived. When
Neville told the attorney of the two ladies, and of the anxiety which he
felt to screen them from the terrible annoyance of the Captain's visits,
Mr. Crowe smiled, but made no remark. "It will be enough for you to know
that I am in earnest about it," said the future Earl, resenting even the
smile. Mr. Crowe bowed, and asked his client to finish the story. "The
man is to be with me to-morrow, here, at twelve, and I wish you to be
present. Mr. Crowe, my intention is to give him two hundred pounds a
year as long as he lives."

"Two hundred a year!" said the Ennis attorney, to whom such an annuity
seemed to be exorbitant as the purchase-money for a returned convict.

"Yes;--I have already mentioned that sum to his wife, though not to
him."

"I should reconsider it, Mr. Neville."

"Thank you;--but I have made up my mind. The payments will be made of
course only on condition that he troubles neither of the ladies either
personally or by letter. It might be provided that it shall be paid to
him weekly in France, but will not be paid should he leave that country.
You will think of all this, and will make suggestions to-morrow. I shall
be glad to have the whole thing left in your hands, so that I need
simply remit the cheques to you. Perhaps I shall have the pleasure of
seeing you to-morrow at twelve." Mr. Crowe promised to turn the matter
over in his mind and to be present at the hour named. Neville carried
himself very we