en if you did, you wouldn't be the first magistrate
who did it."

Greatrakes looked keenly at him. The observation he expressed was
precisely in accordance with the liberality of his own feelings.

"Don't be alarmed," he added; "if you knew my character, which it is
evident you do not, you would know that I never take the part of the
rich man against the poor man, unless when there is justice on the part
of the wealthy man, and crime, unjustifiable and cruel crime, on the
part of the poor man, which, I am sorry to say, is not an unfrequent
case. Now, I must insist, as a magistrate, that you give me your name."

"Well, then," replied the other, "I'm one Barney Casey, sir, who lives
in Rathfillan House, as a servant to Mr. Lindsay, step-father to that
murtherin' blackguard."

Greatrakes then examined him closely, and made him promise to come to
Rathfillan that night, in order that he might accompany him to the hut
of old Sol Donnel, the herbalist.

"I am resolved," said he, "to investigate this matter, and in my
capacity of a magistrate to bring the guilty to justice."

"Faith, sir," replied Barney, "and I'm not the boy who is going to stand
in your way in such a business as that. You know that it was I that put
you up to it, and any assistance I can give you in it you may reckon on.
Although not a magistrate, as you are, maybe I'm just as fond of justice
as yourself. Of coorse I'll attend you to-night, and show you the
devil's nest in which Sol Donnel and his blessed babe of a niece, by
name Caterine Collins, live."

Greatrakes took down the name of Caterine Collins, and after having
arranged the hour at which Barney was to conduct him to Sol Donnel's
hut, they separated.

About eleven o'clock that night Barney and Greatrakes reached the
miserable-looking residence in which this old viper lived.

"Now," said Greatrakes, addressing the herbalist, "my business with you
is this: I have a bitter enemy who wants to establish a claim upon my
property, and I wish to put him out of my way. Do you understand me? I
am a wealthy man, and can reward you well."

"I never talk of these things in the presence of a third party," replied
the herbalist, looking significantly at Barney, whom he well knew.

"Well," replied the other, "I dare say you are right. Casey, go out and
leave us to ourselves."

There was a little hall in the house, which hall was in complete
obscurity. Barney availed himself of this circumstance, opene