ave strong notions of buying you a corplar's or
a sargent's commission. A good deal of that, however, depends upon
yourself; but, as you say, I'll think of it."

Hycy, who could never bear ridicule, especially from the very man whom
he attempted to ridicule most, bounced up, and after muttering something
in the shape of an oath that was unintelligible, said, assuming all his
polite irony:--

"Do so, Mr. Burke; in the mean time I have the pleasure of wishing you a
very good evening, sir."

"Oh, a good-evening, sir," replied the old fellow, "and when you come
home from the wars a full non-commissioned officer, you'll be scowerin'
up your halbert every Christmas an' Aisther, I hope; an' telling us long
stories--of all you killed an' ate while you were away from us."

Harry Clinton, now aware that the anonymous letter which his uncle had
received that morning was the production of Hycy, resolved to watch the
gauger's motions very closely. After a great deal of reflection upon
Hycy's want of memory concerning their bargain, and upon a close
comparison between his conduct and whole manner on the night in
question, and his own account of the matter in the course of their last
interview, he could not help feeling that his friend had stated a gross
falsehood, and that the pretended want of recollection was an ingenious
after-thought, adopted for the purpose of screening himself from the
consequences of whatever injury he might inflict upon Bryan M'Mahon.

"Harry," said his uncle, as nine o'clock approached, "I am going upon
duty tonight."

"In what direction, sir? may I ask."

"Yes, you may, but I'm not bound to tell you. In this instance, however,
there is no necessity for secrecy; it is now too late to give our
gentleman the hard word, so I don't care much if I do tell you. I am
bound for Ahadarra."

"For Ahadarra--you say for Ahadarra, uncle?"

"I do, nephew."

"By heavens, he is the deepest and most consummate scoundrel
alive," exclaimed Harry; "I now see it all. Uncle, I wish to God you
would--would---I don't know what to say."

"That's quite evident, nor what to think either. In the mean time the
soldiers are waiting for me in Ballymacan, and so I must attend to my
duty, Harry."

"Is it upon the strength of the blotted letter you got this morning,
sir, that you are now acting"?"

"No, sir; but upon the strength of a sure spy dispatched this day to the
premises. I am a little too shrewd now, Master Harry, t