deference, and so, as he seated himself opposite him, he mentioned the
reason of his coming there without anything like temper, and stated that
from a slight altercation such a difference arose as required either an
explanation or a meeting.

"He can't go a-shooting with you, stranger; he 's struck down this
morning," said Quackinboss, gravely, as the other finished.

"Do you mean he 's ill?"

"I s'pose I do, when I said he was down, sir."

"This is most unfortunate," broke in O'Shea. "My duties as a public
man require my being in England next week. I hoped to have settled this
little matter before my departure. I see nothing for it but to beg you
will in writing--a few lines will suffice--corroborate the fact of my
having presented myself here, according to appointment, and mention the
sad circumstances by which our intentions, for I believe I may speak of
Mr. Layton's as my own, have been frustrated."

"Well, now, stranger, we are speakin' in confidence here, and I may just
as well observe to you that of all the weapons that fit a man's hands,
the pen is the one I 'm least ready with. I 'm indifferent good with
firearms or a bowie, but a pen, you see, cuts the fingers that hold it
just as often as it hurts the enemy, and I don't like it."

"But surely, where the object is merely to testify to a plain
matter-of-fact--"

"There ain't no such things on the 'arth as plain matters of fact, sir,"
broke in Quackinboss, eagerly. "I've come to the middle period of life,
and I never met one of 'em!"

O'Shea made a slight, very slight movement of impatience at these words;
but the other remarked it, and said,--

"We 'll come to that presently, sir. Let us just post up this account of
Mr. Layton's, first of all."

"I don't think there is anything further to detain me here," said
O'Shea, rising with an air of stiff politeness.

"Won't you take something, sir,--won't you liquor?" asked Quackinboss,
calmly.

"Excuse me; I never do of a morning."

"I 'm sorry for it. I was a-thinkin', maybe you 'd warm up a bit with a
glass of something strong. I was hopin' it's the cold of the day chilled
you!"

"Do you mean this for insult, sir?" said O'Shea. "I ask you, because,
really, your use of the English language is of a kind to warrant the
question."

"That 's where I wanted to see you, sir. You 're coming up to a good
boilin'-point now, stranger," said Quackinboss, with a pleased look.

"Is he mad, is he deranged?" mu