of
information. "Then that makes him a liar or a Mormon--take ye'er choice.
Which do ye think it is, Jimmie?"

"Liar," James replied, sententiously.

"Right ye are, Jimmie! Right ye are! Liar it is, tho' 'twud serve him
right ter be th' other. An' where's his second wife?"

"That's what's a-worryin' him; he don't know."

"Ah, ha!" Riley chuckled, "why shouldn't it? It's bad enough when th'
wife don't know where ye are, but when ye don't know where th' wife is
an' her apt ter turn up anny minnit! Ah, let him worry; it's good f'r
him. What else did ye find out by ye'er mixin's?"

"That's all, so far, but I can get more. Buckner likes me."

The old man's passing amusement was gone, and his indignation returned
with full force.

"P'r'aps ye can git th' likin's iv a man who says me Misther Robert's
wife ain't his wife, but 'twill be healthier f'r ye if ye gits th'
likin's iv Misther Robert himself. Now, ye'll go ter him to-morrer
mornin'--d'ye mind--an' ye'll tell him all ye've tol' me, an' there
won't be no price asked, an' ye'll keep on findin' out all ye can f'r
Misther Robert, an' ye'll play fair, an' ye'll take phwat pay he chooses
ter give ye, an' if ye thry anny more thricks like th' dirty wan I've
just catched ye wid I'll be back ter see ye, James Riley, an' I'll break
ivery damn bone in ye'er body, James Riley. Now, good-night ter ye an'
ye'er prosperities. I'll tell Misther Robert ye'll be up ter see him at
nine o'clock to-morrer mornin'."

The old man drew himself up majestically, cast one more withering glance
on the completely humiliated James, and took his departure.

The next morning nine had not ceased striking on the clock standing on
the mantelpiece in Mr. Gorham's study when James Riley was formally and
seriously ushered by his father into these, the sacred precincts, where
none entered except by its owner's invitation; but it was a far
different James from the man who had called upon Mr. Gorham some weeks
earlier. The younger Riley's self-assurance was missing, his jaunty air
was replaced by a bearing almost timid in its gentleness, his voice had
become halty; and when Mr. Gorham first spoke to him he started
suddenly, turning his face toward his questioner, and showing
apprehension in every feature.

Gorham noticed the change, and, being ignorant of the tragic events of
the evening before, was frankly surprised.

"Have you been ill, James?" he inquired, quietly.

"Oh, no, sir--I'm feeling