a! or what the devil's running in your
head? I'm not a madman, Sir, nor you a mad-doctor. Go home, Sir--or go
to--to where you will, Sir; only go your own way, and leave me mine.'

'Ah, Devereux, you're very quick with me,' said Puddock, placing his
plump little hand on Devereux's arm, and looking very gently and gravely
in his face.

Devereux laid his hand upon Puddock's collar with an agitated sort of
sneer. But he recollected himself, and that diabolical gloom faded from
his face, and he looked more like himself, and slid his cold hand
silently into little Puddock's; and so they stood for a while, by the
door-step, to the admiration of Mrs. Irons--whom Devereux's high tones
had called to her window.

'Puddock, I don't think I'm well, and I don't know quite what I've been
saying. I ask your pardon. You've always been very good to me, Puddock.
I believe--I believe you're the only friend I have, and--Puddock, you
won't leave me.'

So up stairs they went together; and Mrs. Irons, from what she had
overheard, considered herself justified in saying, that 'Captain
Devereux was for drowning himself in the Liffey, and would have done so
only for Lieutenant Puddock.' And so the report was set a-going round
the garrulous town of Chapelizod.

As Mr. Dangerfield glided rapidly along the silent road towards the
Brass Castle, the little gate of his now leafless flower-garden being
already in sight, he saw a dark figure awaiting him under the bushes
which overhung it. It was Mr. Irons, who came forward, without speaking,
and lifted his hat respectfully, perhaps abjectly, and paused for
recognition.

'Hey! Irons?' said Mr. Dangerfield.

'At your service, Sir.'

'Well, and what says his worship?' asked the gentleman, playfully.

'I wanted to tell your honour that it won't make no odds, and I'll do
it.'

'Of course. You're right. It does make no odds. He'll hang whatever you
do; and I tell you 'tis well he should, and only right _you_ should
speak the truth, too--'twill make assurance doubly sure.'

'At eight o'clock in the morning, Sir, I'll attend you,' said Irons,
with a sort of shiver.

'Good! and I'll jot down your evidence, and we'll drive over to Mr.
Lowe's, to Lucan, and you shall swear before him. And, you understand--I
don't forget what I promised--you'll be a happier man every way for
having done your duty; and here's half-a-crown to spend in the Salmon
House.'

Irons only moaned, and then said--

'That's