ill he's gone."

"That's true; but how could your father owe such a sum as that, and no
one know it? Why, that must be four or five thousand pounds?"

"About five, I believe."

"And you've put your name to them, isn't that it?"

"Something like it. You know, he and Lord Ballindine, years ago, were
fighting about the leases we held under the old Lord; and then, the old
man wanted ready money, and borrowed it in Dublin; and, some years
since--that is, about three years ago,--sooner than see any of the
property sold, I took up the debt myself. You know, it was all as good
as my own then; and now, confound it! I must pay the whole out of the
miserable thing that's left me under this infernal will. But it wasn't
even about that I sent for you; only, I must explain exactly how
matters are, before I come to the real point."

"But your father's name must be joined with yours in the debt; and, if
so, you can come upon the entire property for the payment. There's no
difficulty about that; your sister, of course, must pay the half."

"It's not so, my dear fellow. I can't explain the thing exactly,
but it's I that owe the money, and I must pay it. But it's no good
talking of that. Well, you see, Anty that's my sister, has this
property all in her own hands. But you don't drink your punch," and
Barry mixed his third tumbler.

"Of course she has; and, surely she won't refuse to pay half the claims
on the estate?"

"Never mind the claims!" answered Barry, who began to fear that he
had pushed his little invention a thought too far. "I tell you, I
must stand to them; you don't suppose I'd ask her to pay a penny as a
favour? No; I'm a little too proud for that. Besides, it'd be no use,
not the least; and that's what I'm coming to. You see, Anty's got
this money, and--You know, don't you, Mr Daly, poor Anty's not just
like other people?"

"No," said Mr Daly--"I didn't. I can't say I know much about Miss
Lynch. I never had the pleasure of seeing her."

"But did you never hear she wasn't quite right?"

"Indeed, I never did, then."

"Well that's odd; but we never had it much talked about, poor
creature. Indeed, there was no necessity for people to know much about
it, for she never gave any trouble; and, to tell the truth, as long as
she was kept quiet, she never gave us occasion to think much about it.
But, confound them for rogues--those who have got hold of her now, have
quite upset her."

"But what is it ails your sister,