est of them in the lawn before the house,
while Nick and his friend were to go through the ceremony of seizing
Bob's effects, and make an inventory of everything they could find.

'"A mere matter of form, Major Mahon," said he. "We 'll make it as short
as possible, and leave a couple of men in possession; and as I know the
affair will be arranged in a few days----"

'"Of course," says Bob, laughing; "nothing easier. So come along now and
let me show you the way."

'When they reached the house, Bob ordered up dinner at once, and behaved
as politely as possible, telling them it was early, and they would have
plenty of time for everything in the evening. But whether it was that
they had no appetite just then, or that they were not over-easy in their
minds about Bob himself, they declined everything, and began to set
about their work. To it they went with pen and ink, putting down all the
chairs and tables, the cracked china, the fire-irons, and at last Bob
left them counting over about twenty pairs of old top-boots that stood
along the wall of his dressing-room.

'"Ned," said Bob to his own man, "get two big padlocks and put them on
the door of the hayloft as fast as you can."

'"Sure it is empty, sir," said Ned. "Barrin' the rats, there's nothing
in it."

'"Don't I know that as well as you?" said Bob; "but can't you do as you
are bid? And when you've done it, take the pony and gallop over to the
bog, and tell the people to throw the turf out of their carts and gallop
up here as fast as they can."

'He'd scarcely said it when Nick called out, "Now, Major, for the
farmyard, if you please." And so taking Hennessy's arm, Bob walked out,
followed by the two big bailiffs, that never left them for a moment.
To be sure it was a great sight when they got outside, and saw all
the ricks and stacks as thick as they could stand; and so they began
counting and putting them down on paper, and the devil a thing they
forgot, not even the boneens and the bantams; and at last Nick fixed
his eye upon the little door into the loft, upon which now two great big
padlocks were hanging.

'"I suppose it 's oats you have up there, Major?" said he.

'"No, indeed," said Bob, looking a little confused.

'"Maybe seed-potatoes?" said Hennessy.

'"Nor it neither," said he.

'"Barley, it's likely?" cried Nick; "it is a fine dry loft."

'"No," said Bob, "it is empty."

'And with that he endeavoured to turn them away and get them back into