rnish us with them?"

"That is, Mr. Birney, as we shall understand one another. You failed in
your mission to France?"

"I shall hear any proposal, sir, you have to make, but will answer no
questions on the subject until I understand your motive for putting
them."

"Good--very cool and cautious--but suppose, now, that I, who know you
'ave failed in procuring the dockiments in question, could supply you
with them--haw!--do you understand me now?"

"Less than ever, sir, I assure you. Observe that you introduced yourself
to me as the friend of Lord Dunroe."

"Merely to connect myself with the proceedings between you. I 'ave or
am about to discard him, but I shaunt go about the bush no longer. I'm
a native of Lon'on, w'at is tarmed a cockney--haw, haw!--and he 'as
treated me ill--very ill--and I am detarmined to retaliate."

"How, sir, are you determined to retaliate?"

"The truth is, sir, I've got the dockiments you stand in need of in my
possession, and can furnish you with them for a consideration."

"Why, now you are intelligible. What do you want, Murray? I'm engaged."

"To speak one word with you in the next room, sir. The gentleman wants
you to say yes or no, in a single line, upon Mr. Fairfield's business,
sir--besides, I've a private message."

"Excuse me for a moment, sir," said Birney; "there's this morning's
paper, if you haven't seen it."

"Well, Bob," said he, "what is it?"

"Beware of that fellow," said he: "I know him well; his name is Bryan;
he was a horse jockey on the Curragh, and was obliged to fly the country
for dishonesty. Be on your guard, that is all I had to say to you."

"Why, he says he is a Londoner, and he certainly has the accent,"
replied the other.

"Kerry, sir, to the backbone, and a disgrace to the country, for divil a
many rogues it produces, whatever else it may do."

"Thank you, Murray," said Birney; "I will be doubly guarded now."

This occurred between Birney and one of his clerks, as a small interlude
in their conversation.

"Yes, sir," resumed Birney, once more taking his place at the desk, "you
can now be understood."

"Haw!--yes, I rayther fancy I can make myself so!" replied Norton.
"What, now, do you suppose the papers in question may be worth to your
friends?"

"You cannot expect me to reply to that question," said Birney; "I am
acting professionally under the advice and instructions of others; but
I will tell you what I think you had better do--I can en