a massive
account-book, was soon deep in its details. Hankes took a place beside
him, and they both continued to con over the long column of figures
together.

"We stand in a safer position than I thought, Hankes," said Dunn,
leaning back in his chair.

"Yes, sir; we have been nursing this Ossory Bank for some time. You
remember, some time ago, saying to me, 'Hankes, put condition on that
horse, we 'll have to ride him hard before the season is over'?"

"Well, you have done it cleverly, I must say," resumed Dunn. "This
concern is almost solvent."

"Almost, sir," echoed Hankes.

"What a shake it will give them all, Hankes," said Dunn, gleefully,
"when it once sets in, as it will and must, powerfully! The Provincial
will stand easily enough."

"To be sure, sir."

"And the Royal, also; but the 'Tyrawley'--"

"And the 'Four Counties,'" added Hankes. "Driscoll is ready with four
thousand of the notes 'to open the ball,' as he says, and when Terry's
name gets abroad it will be worse to them than a placard on the walls."

"I shall not be sorry for the 'Four Counties.' It was Mr. Morris, the
chairman, had the insolence to allude to me in the House, and ask if it
were true that the Ministry had recommended Mr. Davenport Dunn as a fit
object for the favors of the Crown? That question, sir, placed my claim
in abeyance ever since. The Minister, pledged solemnly to me, had to
rise in his place and say 'No.' Of course he added the stereotyped
sarcasm, 'Not that, if such a decision had been come to, need the
Cabinet have shrunk from the responsibility through any fears of the
honorable gentleman's indignation.'"

"Well, Mr. Morris will have to pay for his joke now," said Hankes. "I 'm
told his whole estate is liable to the Bank."

"Every shilling of it. Driscoll has got me all the details."

"Lushington will be the great sufferer by the 'Tyrawley,'" continued
Hankes.

"Another of them, Hankes,--another of them," cried Dunn, rubbing his
hands joyfully. "Tom Lushington--the Honorable Tom, as they called
him--blackballed me at 'Brookes's. They told me his very words: 'It's
bad enough to be "Dunned," as we are, out of doors, but let us, at
least, be safe from the infliction at our Clubs.' A sorry jest, but
witty enough for those who heard it."

"I don't think he has sixpence."

"No, sir; nor can he remain a Treasury Lord with a fiat of bankruptcy
against him. So much, then, for Tom Lushington! I tell you, Hankes,"
sa