f carelessly. 'Mine was a mere caprice after
all. It is linked with a reminiscence--there's the whole of it; but if you
care for it, pray keep it.'

'I do care for it, and I will keep it.'

It was a very peculiar smile that curled Walpole's lip as he heard this
speech, and there was an expression in his eyes that seemed to say, 'What
manner of man is this, what sort of nature, new and strange to me, is he
made of?'

'Bye-bye!' said Atlee carelessly, and he strolled away.

CHAPTER XV

IN THE GARDEN AT DUSK

When Atlee quitted Walpole's room, he was far too full of doubt and
speculation to wish to join the company in the drawing-room. He had need
of time to collect his thoughts, too, and arrange his plans. This sudden
departure of his would, he well knew, displease Kearney. It would savour
of a degree of impertinence, in treating their hospitality so cavalierly,
that Dick was certain to resent, and not less certain to attribute to a
tuft-hunting weakness on Atlee's part of which he had frequently declared
he detected signs in Joe's character.

'Be it so. I'll only say, you'll not see me cultivate "swells" for the
pleasure of their society, or even the charms of their cookery. If I turn
them to no better uses than display, Master Dick, you may sneer freely at
me. I have long wanted to make acquaintance with one of these fellows, and
luck has now given me the chance. Let us see if I know how to profit by
it.'

And, thus muttering to himself, he took his way to the farmyard, to find a
messenger to despatch to the village for post-horses.

The fact that he was not the owner of a half-crown in the world very
painfully impressed itself on a negotiation, which, to be prompt, should be
prepaid, and which he was endeavouring to explain to two or three very idle
but very incredulous listeners--not one of whom could be induced to accept
a ten miles' tramp on a drizzling night without the prompting of a tip in
advance.

'It's every step of eight miles,' cried one.

'No, but it's ten,' asseverated another with energy, 'by rayson that you
must go by the road. There's nobody would venture across the bog in the
dark.'

'Wid five shillings in my hand--'

'And five more when ye come back,' continued another, who was terrified at
the low estimate so rashly adventured.

'If one had even a shilling or two to pay for a drink when he got in to
Kilbeggan wet through and shivering--'

The speaker was not permitted to f