e my second tumbler.
I'm never so sure of what I'm about as when I'm a little warmed;
'but,' says you, 'because my head's strong, it's no reason another's
shouldn't be weak:' but do as you like; liberty hall here now, Mr Daly;
that is, as far as I'm concerned. You knew my father, I believe, Mr
Daly?"

"Well then, Mr Lynch, I didn't exactly know him; but living so near
him, and he having so much business in the county, and myself having
a little, I believe I've been in company with him, odd times."

"He was a queer man: wasn't he, Mr Daly?"

"Was he, then? I dare say. I didn't know much about him. I'll take the
sugar from you, Mr Lynch; I believe I might as well mix a drop, as the
night's cold."

"That's right. I thought you weren't the fellow to sit with an empty
glass before you. But, as I was saying before, the old boy was a queer
hand; that is, latterly--for the last year or so. Of course you know
all about his will?"

"Faith then, not much. I heard he left a will, dividing the property
between you and Miss Lynch."

"He did! Just at the last moment, when the breath wasn't much more than
left in him, he signed a will, making away half the estate, just as you
say, to my sister. Blake could have broke the will, only he was so
d---- pig-headed and stupid. It's too late now, I suppose?"

"Why, I could hardly answer that, you know, as I never heard the
circumstances; but I was given to understand that Blake consulted
McMahon; and that McMahon wouldn't take up the case, as there was
nothing he could put before the Chancellor. Mind I'm only repeating
what people said in Tuam, and about there. Of course, I couldn't think
of advising till I knew the particulars. Was it on this subject, Mr
Lynch, you were good enough to send for me?"

"Not at all, Mr Daly. I look upon that as done and gone; bad luck to
Blake and McMahon, both. The truth is, between you and me, Daly--I
don't mind telling you; as I hope now you will become my man of
business, and it's only fair you should know all about it--the truth
is, Blake was more interested on the other side, and he was determined
the case shouldn't go before the Chancellor. But, when my father signed
that will, it was just after one of those fits he had lately; that
could be proved, and he didn't know what he was doing, from Adam! He
didn't know what was in the will, nor, that he was signing a will at
all; so help me, he didn't. However, that's over. It wasn't to talk
about that