an with a
clear head."

"Is Darby Skinadre, sir, to have Dalton's farm?"

"Why, I've pocketed a hundred of his money for it, an' I think he ought.
However, all this part of the property is out of lease, and you know we
can neither do nor say anything till we get the new leases."

"Oh, yes, you can, sir," replied Hanlon, laughing; "it's clear you can
_do_ at any rate."

"How is that? What do you grin at, confound you?"

"You can take the money, sir; that's what I mane by _doin'_ him. Ha, ha,
ha!"

"Very good, Charley; but I'm sick; and I very much fear that I've caught
this confounded typhus."

The next day being that on which the trial took place, he rose not from
his bed; and when the time appointed for meeting Travers came he was
not at all in anything of an improved condition. His gig was got ready,
however, and, accompanied by Hanlon, he drove to the agent's office.

Travers was a quick, expert man of business, who lost but little time
and few words in his dealings with the world. He was clear, rapid, and
decisive, and having once formed an opinion, there was scarcely any
possibility in changing it. This, indeed, was the worst and most
impracticable point about him; for as it often happened that his
opinions were based upon imperfect or erroneous data, it consequently
followed that his inflexibility was but another name for obstinacy, and
not unfrequently for injustice.

As Henderson entered the office, he met our friend the pedlar and old
Dalton going out.

"Dalton," said Travers, "do you and your friend stay in the next room; I
wish to see you again before you go. How do you do, Henderson?"

"I am not well," replied Henderson, "not at all well; but it won't
signify."

"How is your father?"

"Much as usual: I wonder he didn't call on you."

"No, he did not, I suppose he's otherwise engaged--the assizes always
occupy him. However, now to business, Mr. Henderson;" and he looked
inquiringly at Dick, as much as to say, I am ready to hear you.

"We had better see, I think," proceeded Dick, "and make arrangements
about these new leases."

"I shall expect to be bribed for each of them, Mr. Richard."

"Bribed!" exclaimed the other, "ha, ha, ha! that's good."

"Why, do you think there's anything morally wrong or dishonorable in a
bribe?" asked the other, with a very serious face.

"Come, come, Mr. Travers," said Dick, "a joke's a joke; only don't put
so grave a face on you when you ask such a questi