I never expected to be a
shilling the better of him.'

'He knows it; and now you have the reason why I mentioned Charles
Archer; and having placed that gold in your hand, I've done with him,
and we sha'n't have occasion, I hope, to name his name for a good while
to come,' said Dangerfield.

Then came a long refreshing silence, while Dangerfield whipt the stream
with his flies. He was not successful; but he did not change his flies.
It did not seem to trouble him; indeed, mayhap he did not perceive it.
And after fully twenty minutes thus unprofitably employed, he suddenly
said, as if in continuation of his last sentence--

'And, respecting that money you'll use caution; a hundred guineas is not
always so honestly come by. Your wife drinks--suppose a relative in
England had left you that gold, by will, 'twould be best not to let
_her_ know; but give it to Dr. Walsingham, secretly, to keep for you,
telling him the reason. He'll undertake the trust and tell no
one--_that's_ your plan--mind ye.'

Then came another long silence, and Dangerfield applied himself in
earnest to catch some trout, and when he had accomplished half-a-dozen,
he tired altogether of the sport, and followed by Irons, he sauntered
homewards, where astounding news awaited him.

CHAPTER LIII.

RELATING AFTER WHAT FASHION DR. STURK CAME HOME.

As Dangerfield, having parted company with Irons at the corner of the
bridge, was walking through the town, with his rod over his shoulder and
his basket of troutlings by his side, his attention was arrested by a
little knot of persons in close and earnest talk at the barrack-gate,
nearly opposite Sturk's house.

He distinguished at a glance the tall grim figure of Oliver Lowe, of
Lucan, the sternest and shrewdest magistrate who held the commission for
the county of Dublin in those days, mounted on his iron-gray hunter, and
holding the crupper with his right hand, as he leaned toward a ragged,
shaggy little urchin, with naked shins, whom he was questioning, as it
seemed closely. Half-a-dozen gaping villagers stood round.

There was an indescribable something about the group which indicated
horror and excitement. Dangerfield quickened his pace, and arrived just
as the adjutant rode out.

Saluting both as he advanced, Dangerfield asked--

'Nothing amiss, I hope, gentlemen?'

'The surgeon here's been found murdered in the park!' answered Lowe.

'Hey--_Sturk_?' said Dangerfield.

'Yes,' said the