ager
to talk to Meldon than to catch another salmon. He waded ashore at
once and laid down his rod.

"I'm very glad to meet you, Mr. Meldon," he said. "There are one or
two questions I'd like to ask you."

"I thought there very likely were," said Meldon, "and I need scarcely
say that I'm perfectly ready to answer them, so far as I can with
proper consideration for your peace of mind."

"My peace of mind!"

"Yes. I shan't, of course, say anything which would be liable to upset
you. I know you're here on a holiday, and nothing spoils a holiday so
much as worry of any sort. I have the greatest respect and liking for
you."

"That's what you said when you were telling me that cock-and-bull story
about the drains."

"Doyle's drains are bad," said Meldon. "I hardly exaggerated at all
about that. You ask Simpkins. He wanted-- By the way, have you met
Simpkins yet?"

"No; I haven't. But it isn't about Simpkins I want to talk now."

"That's a pity. I enjoy talking about Simpkins. He's not a bad fellow
at all, though the Major doesn't care for him. But I expect you'll
meet him this afternoon."

"Thanks," said the judge. "I shall be glad of the chance of forming my
own estimate of Simpkins' character. I am sure it will agree with
yours. But to get back to what I was saying about the drains. Would
you mind telling me why you went all the way to Donard to warn me about
the drains?"

"To be perfectly frank--by the way, do you want me to be perfectly
frank?"

"Certainly. Even at the expense of my peace of mind."

"I don't think what I'm going to say now will affect your peace of
mind. The fact is, I thought at that time that it would be better for
you not to come to Ballymoy. I hope you don't mind my saying so. I
need scarcely tell you that it wasn't a personal matter. There's
nothing I should enjoy more than having you here permanently."

"I suppose that the Condy's Fluid and the paraffin oil were--?"

"Means to the same end," said Meldon. "They were kindly meant. If
they caused you any serious inconvenience--"

"They did."

"Then I apologise, frankly and unreservedly. The fact is, I acted
under a complete misapprehension. If I had known then what I know now
I should have welcomed you, and done my best to make your stay here
pleasant. That's what I intend to do now; so if any one annoys you in
the slightest just let me know, and I'll put a stop to the performance
at once."

"Thanks;