ere sure every one had come up, but they all seemed to be
there, though I sent Tom Peel down along the tunnel to find if any had
been left behind.

Lord Strepp shook hands most cordially with me at the front door.

"Thank you for your hospitality, O'Ruddy," he said, "although I came
in by the lower entrance. I will send over a flag of truce when I've
seen my father; then I hope you will trust yourself to come to the
Manor House and have a talk with him."

"I'll do it with pleasure," said I.

"Good morning to you," said Lord Strepp.

"And the top o' the morning to you, which is exactly what we are
getting at this moment, though in ten minutes I hope to be asleep."

"So do I," said Lord Strepp, setting off at a run down the slope.

CHAPTER XXXIII

Once more I went to my bed, but this time with my clothes off, for if
there was to be a conference with the Earl and the Countess at the
Manor House, not to speak of the chance of seeing Lady Mary herself, I
wished to put on the new and gorgeous suit I had bought in London for
that occasion, and which had not yet been on my back. I was so excited
and so delighted with the thought of seeing Lady Mary that I knew I
could not sleep a wink, especially as daylight was upon me, but I had
scarcely put my head on the pillow when I was as sound asleep as any
of my ancestors, the old Kings of Kinsale. The first thing I knew
Paddy was shaking me by the shoulder just a little rougher than a
well-trained servant should.

"Beggin' your pardon," says he, "his lordship, the great Earl of
Westport, sends word by a messenger that he'll be pleased to have
account with ye, at your early convenience, over at the Manor House
beyond."

"Very well, Paddy," said I, "ask the messenger to take my compliments
to the Earl and say to him I will do myself the honour of calling on
him in an hour's time. Deliver that message to him; then come back and
help me on with my new duds."

When Paddy returned I was still yawning, but in the shake of a
shillelah he had me inside the new costume, and he stood back against
the wall with his hand raised in amazement and admiration at the glory
he beheld. He said after that kings would be nothing to him, and
indeed the tailor had done his best and had won his guineas with more
honesty than you'd expect from a London tradesman. I was quietly
pleased with the result myself.

I noticed with astonishment that it was long after mid-day, so it
occurred to