able to swear to my
intentions? he surely must be a clever fellow that can make affidavit as
to another man's thoughts--eh, Mr. M'Clutchy?"

Val's glances at the man, from time to time, were baleful; but, with
his usual tact and plausibility, he restrained his temper before the
sheriff, lest that gentleman might imagine that he had acted from any
other principle than a sense of duty.

Harvey, who heard M'Clutchy's determination with deep regret, now
happening to look out of the window, observed a group of persons
approaching--one of the said group hard and fast in the grip of two of
Val's constables; whilst, at the same time, it was quite evident, that
despite the ignominy of the arrest, mirth was the predominant feeling
among them, excepting only the constables. On approaching the house,
they were soon known, and Val, to his manifest delight, recognized Mr.
Easel as a prisoner, accompanied by Messrs. Hickman and Hartley, both of
whom seemed to enjoy Easel's position between the two constables, as a
very excellent subject for mirth.

"Mr. M'Clutchy," said M'Loughlin, "whether is it you or I that is about
to hold a little levee in my humble parlor to-day? But I suppose I need
not ask. Consider yourself at home here, my good neighbor--you are now
up, and I am down; so we must only allow you to have your way."

Just then the parlor door once more opened, and the party already
alluded to entered. Very distant and very polite were the salutations
that passed from M'Clutchy to the party in question, which the party in
question received, on the other hand, with a degree of good humor and
cordiality that surprised and astounded our agent, Val, to tell the
truth, felt rather queer; for, on comparing M'Loughlin's nonchalance
with the significant good humor of the new comers, he was too shrewd not
to feel that there was a bit of mystery somewhere, but in what quarter
he could not possibly guess."

"Gentlemen," said he, falling back upon his humanity, "the duties of an
Agent are often painful, but still they must be discharged. Lord
Cumber, I must confess, has not been well advised, to force me to
these proceedings. Mr. M'Loughlin, I acknowledge I lost temper a while
ago--but the fact really is, that I proceed in this matter with great
reluctance, notwithstanding what I said. Here, however," he added,
turning to Easel, "is a horse of a different color."

On speaking, he put his hand into his pocket, and pulling out the _Hue