ason, be careful that this
document shall be as regular and binding as need be."

"It shall be submitted for counsel's opinion this evening, sir--"

"Not to Jones, then; I don't fancy that gentleman, although I know he
has some of your confidence; send it to Hammond."

"As you please, sir."

"Another point. You'll not insert any clause respecting the tenant in
possession; it would only be hampering us with another defence against
some legal subtlety or other."

"Mr. Cashel does not desire this, sir?"

"Of course not--you understand what the whole thing means. Well, I must
say good-bye; you 'll have all ready by the time I return to town. My
respects to the drawing-room. Adieu.

"That was bad blunder about the note," muttered Linton, as he walked
along towards home, "and might have lost the game, if the antagonist had
any skill whatever."

CHAPTER XXIII. LINTON VISITS HIS ESTATE.

Let's see the field, and mark it well,
For, here, will be the battle.

Ottocar.

"Does this path lead to the house, friend?" said a gentleman whose dress
bespoke recent travel, to the haggard, discontented figure of a man who,
seated on a stone beside a low and broken wicket, was lazily filling
his pipe, and occasionally throwing stealthy glances at the stranger.
A. short nod of the head was the reply. "You belong to the place, I
suppose?"

"Maybe I do; and what then?"

"Simply that, as I am desirous of going thither, I should be glad of
your showing me the way."

"Troth, an' there's little to see when you get there," rejoined the
other, sarcastically. "What are you by trade, if it's not displeasin' to
ye?"

"That's the very question I was about to ask you," said Linton, for it
was himself; "you appear to have a very easy mode of life, whatever it
be, since you are so indifferent about earning half-a-crown."

Tom Keane arose from his seat, and made an awkward attempt at saluting,
as he said,--

"'Tis the dusk o'the evening prevented me seeing yer honer, or I
wouldn't be so bowld. This is the way to the Hall sure enough."

"This place has been greatly neglected of late," said Linton, as they
walked along side by side, and endeavoring, by a tone of familiarity, to
set his companion at ease.

"Troth, it is neglected, and always was as long as I remember. I was
reared in it, and I never knew it other; thistles and docks as big as
your leg, everywhere, and the grass choked up with moss."

"How came