g how he will dispose of me."
Such was Mr. Prendergast's thought about the matter; and that made
him smile. And then, too, he was pleased at what he had seen. That
this Mollett was the son of that other Mollett, with whom he had been
closeted at Castle Richmond, was plain enough; it was plain enough
also to him, used as he was to trace out in his mind the courses of
action which men would follow, that Mollett junior, having heard of
his father's calamitous failure at Castle Richmond, had come down to
Hap House to see what he could make out of the hitherto unconscious
heir. It had been matter of great doubt with Mr. Prendergast, when he
first heard young Mollett's name mentioned, whether or no he would
allow him to make his attempt. He, Mr. Prendergast, could by a word
have spoilt the game; but acting, as he was forced to act, on the
spur of the moment, he resolved to permit Mr. Mollett junior to play
out his play. He would be yet in time to prevent any ill result to
Mr. Fitzgerald, should that gentleman be weak enough to succumb to
any such ill results. As things had now turned out Mr. Prendergast
rejoiced that Mr. Mollett junior had been permitted to play out his
play. "And now, Mr. Prendergast, if you are ready, I am," said Owen.

"Perhaps we had better first pick up the gentleman among the trees,"
said Mr. Prendergast. And he and Captain Donnellan went down into the
bushes.

"Do as you please about that," said Owen. "I have touched him once
and shall not touch him again." And he walked back into the
dining-room.

One of the grooms who were leading the horses had now gone to the
assistance of the fallen hero; and as Captain Donnellan also had
already penetrated as far as Aby's shoulders, Mr. Prendergast,
thinking that he was not needed, returned also to the house. "I hope
he is not seriously hurt," he said.

"Not he," said Owen. "Those sort of men are as used to be kicked,
as girls are to be kissed; and it comes as naturally to them. But
anything short of having his bones broken will be less than he
deserves."

"May I ask what was the nature of his offence?"

Owen remained silent for a moment, looking his guest full in the
face. "Well; not exactly," said he. "He has been talking of people of
whom he knows nothing, but it would not be well for me to repeat what
he has said to a perfect stranger."

"Quite right, Mr. Fitzgerald; it would not be well. But there can be
no harm in my repeating it to you. He came h