had been out but
little since the day on which he had been so savagely treated at
Drumleesh--indeed he had not been able to go out till quite lately;
and he now most thoroughly wished that he was bad enough to obtain
a medical certificate, which would prevent the necessity of his
attending in court. That, however, was impossible, and he, therefore,
sat himself to consider what answers he would give to the questions
they would be most likely to ask him. Regard for his oath he had
none; but there were some most disagreeable questions which, if asked
him, he would be obliged to answer with the truth, for on those
subjects he would be unable to lie without detection. His rancour
against Thady was unabated. Unless young Macdermot were hung he
would be unable to avenge the mutilated stump which crippled all his
exertions, and now rendered his existence miserable.

He flattered himself, however, that Brady's evidence would render
that event certain; and whatever annoying questions might be put to
himself on the defence, he was determined that Brady should swear to
enough on the direct examination to ensure his purpose.

On the Wednesday evening it was decided that Thady's case was to come
on first in the criminal court on Thursday morning, and on the same
Wednesday evening Keegan sent for Brady into his office.

Pat was now regularly installed as the attorney's managing man on
the property, and there was therefore nothing very remarkable in his
sending for him, although he was going to be a witness on the morrow.

"Did you hear, Brady," said the master, "that they've summoned me for
the trial to-morrow?"

"Iss, yer honour; they war telling me so up at the court; there's
Dolan is summoned too."

"Who's Dolan?"

"He's one of the boys, Mr. Keegan, as war in it that night at Mrs.
Mehan's."

"Well, and what can he say? he can't say Macdermot wasn't there. He
can't do any harm, Pat; for if he was to swear that he wasn't there,
there's enough to prove that he was."

"No, yer honour, it isn't that he'll be saying, but he'll be saying
Captain Ussher's name wasn't mentioned, or may be that the boys
were merely taking their drink, innocent like; that's what I be
afeared--and that's what Corney 'll say; you'll see av he don't; he's
the biggest liar in Drumleesh."

"Oh, they'd soon knock all that out of him; besides, isn't he one of
these potheen boys?"

"Faix he is so, Mr. Keegan."

"Then they'll not believe him--they'll