and go down to Brentford, with a
request that Miss Smith might be sent up with him immediately, as you
were so ill that you were not expected to live; but previous to his
taking this step, he wrote to Melchior, requesting his orders as to how
he was to proceed when he had obtained the child. The answer from
Melchior arrived. By this time, he had discovered that you were in
Ireland, and intended to visit him; perhaps he had you in confinement,
for I do not know how long you were there, but the answer desired Will
to come over immediately, as there would be in all probability work for
him, that would be well paid for. He had now become so intimate with me,
that he disguised nothing; he showed me the letter, and I asked him what
it meant; he replied that there was somebody to put out of the way, that
was clear. It immediately struck me, that you must be the person if such
was the case, and I volunteered to go with him, to which, after some
difficulty, he consented. We travelled outside the mail, and in four
days we arrived at the castle. Will went up to Melchior, who told him
what it was that he required. Will consented, and then stated he had
another hand with him, which might be necessary, vouching for my doing
anything that was required. Melchior sent for me, and I certainly was
afraid that he would discover me, but my disguise was too good. I had
prepared for it still further, by wearing a wig of light hair, he asked
me some questions, and I replied in a surly, dogged tone, which satisfied
him. The reward was two hundred pounds, to be shared between us; and, as
it was considered advisable that we should not be seen after the affair
was over, by the people about the place, we had the horses provided for
us. The rest you well know. I was willing to make sure that it was you
before I struck the scoundrel, and the first glimpse from the lantern,
and your voice, convinced me."

"Thank God, Japhet, but I have been of some use to you, at all events."

"My dear Tim, you have indeed, and you know me too well to think I shall
ever forget it; but now I must first ascertain where the will of the late
Sir William is to be found. We can read it for a shilling, and then I may
discover what are the grounds of Melchior's conduct, for, to me, it is
still inexplicable."

"Are wills made in Ireland registered here, or at Doctor's Commons in
London?"

"In Dublin, I should imagine."

But on my arrival at Dublin I felt so ill, that I w