hought,
on the matter.'

'As how, Sir?'

'Why, regarding the kind of feeling that subsisted between the prisoner,
Nutter, and Doctor Sturk.'

''Tis unpleasant, Sir, but I can't object.'

'There was an angry feeling about the agency, I believe? Lord
Castlemallard's agency, eh?' continued Lowe.

'Well, I suppose it _was_ that; there certainly was an unpleasant
feeling--_very_ unpleasant.'

'You've heard him express it?'

'Yes; I think most gentlemen who know him have. Why, he made no disguise
of it; he was no great talker, but we've heard him on that subject.'

'But you specially know how it stood between them in respect of the
agency?'

'Yes.'

'Very good, Sir,' said Lowe.

'And I've a notion that something decisive should be done toward
effecting a full discovery, and I'll consider of a method,' replied
Dangerfield.

'How do you mean?' said Lowe, looking up with a glance like a hawk.

'How! why I'll talk it over with Mrs. Sturk this evening.'

'Why, what has she got to tell?'

'Nothing, as I suppose; I'll see her to-day; there's nothing to tell;
but something, I think, to be done; it hasn't been set about rightly;
'tis a botched business hitherto--that's in _my_ judgment.'

'Yet 'tis rather a strong case,' answered Mr. Lowe, superciliously.

'Rather a strong case, so it is, but I'll clench it, Sir; it ought to be
certain.'

'Well, Sir?' said Lowe, who expected to hear more.

'Yes,' said Dangerfield, briskly, ''twill depend on _her; I'll_ suggest,
_she'll_ decide.'

'And why _she_, Sir?' said Lowe sharply.

'Because 'tis her business and her right, and no one else can,' answered
Dangerfield just as tartly, with his hands in his breeches' pockets, and
his head the least thing o' one side, and then with a bow, 'won't you
drink a glass of wine, Sir?' which was as much as to say, you'll get no
more from me.

'I thank you, Sir, no; 'tis a little too early for me.' And so with the
usual ceremonies, Mr. Lowe departed, the governor of the Brass Castle
walking beside his horse, as far as the iron gate, to do him honour; and
as he rode away towards Lucan, Mr. Dangerfield followed him with a snowy
smirk.

Then briskly, after his wont, the knight of the shining spectacles made
his natty toilet; and in a few minutes his cocked hat was seen gliding
along the hedge toward Chapelizod.

He glanced up at Sturk's window--it was a habit now--so soon as he came
in sight, but all looked as usual. So he mounte