the
face.

"Could you direct me, sir, to a hostelry they call the 'Pig and
Turnip'?" he asked with great civility.

"If you will come with me," said I, "I'll bring you to the place
itself, for that's where I'm stopping."

"Is it possible," he said, "that I have the honour of addressing The
O'Ruddy?"

"That great privilege is yours," said I, coming to a standstill in the
middle of the street, as I saw the young man had his sword drawn and
pressed close against his side to allay suspicion. I forgot all about
law and order, and had my own blade free of the scabbard on the
instant; but the young man spoke smoothly and made no motion of
attack, which was very wise of him.

"Mr. O'Ruddy," he says, "we are both men of the world and sensible men
and men of peace. Where two gentlemen, one down on his luck and the
other in prosperity, have a private matter to discuss between them, I
think this discussion should take place quietly and in even tones of
voice."

"Sir," said I, giving my sword-hand a little shake, so that the weapon
settled down into its place, "Sir, you express my sentiments exactly,
and as you are a stranger to me perhaps you will be good enough to
announce the subject that concerns us."

"I may say at the outset," he remarked almost in a whisper, so polite
he was, "that I have eight good swordsmen at my back, who are not
visible until I give the signal; therefore you see, sir, that your
chances are of the slightest if I should be compelled to call upon
them. I know the fame of The O'Ruddy as a swordsman, and you may take
it as a compliment, sir, that I should hesitate to meet you alone. So
much for saving my own skin, but I am a kindly man and would like to
save your skin as well. Therefore if you will be kind enough to hand
to me the papers which you carry in your pocket, you will put me under
strong obligations, and at the same time sleep peaceably to-night at
the 'Pig and Turnip' instead of here in the gutter, to be picked up by
the watch, for I can assure you, sir, as a man that knows the town,
the watch will not be here to save you whatever outcry you may make."

"I am obliged to you, sir, for your discourse and your warning, to
both of which I have paid strict attention; and in the interests of
that peace which we are each of us so loath to break I may announce to
you that the papers you speak of are not in my possession."

"Pardon me, sir, but they must be; for we have searched your room
thorou