r's visits, and if short of money were seldom required to pay
taxes.

"I am glad that you have come," Mr. Brown said, hastily glancing from
the large books before him to welcome us; "we are going through with our
monthly ceremony, and I thought you would like to witness it. It is not
an agreeable one, I confess, but duty compels me to do many things that
I disapprove of."

"In what quarter will your honor go first?" asked the sergeant of the
police squad, addressing the inspector.

"The Irish district," returned Mr. Brown. "We can then," he continued,
"strike into the Chinamen's quarters, and visit our folks on our way
home."

As we rode up, a number of Irishmen were smoking their pipes at the
entrance of their tents or huts, evidently expecting us, for it was
tax-collecting day, and they knew very well that government would not
let the opportunity pass of adding to its wealth. No surprise was
manifested, therefore, when our force halted, and those within hearing
were requested to bring out their gold.

"Is it there ye are, Mr. Brown?" cried an old fellow, who was called Pat
Regan. "It's wishing to see yer face this many a day I've desired, long
life to ye, and it's dead I feared ye was."

"Is your tax ready?" asked the inspector, shortly, being accustomed to
the blarney of the man.

"Whist! What blackguard would be after thinking of money, or taxes, or
any thing else when yer honor is near? Will yer enter me tent and
partake of me hospitalities?" demanded Pat, with a serious face, and a
show of politeness that was refreshing, knowing as I did that it was
intended as burlesque.

"Don't stand there chattering, but hand over your month's taxes,"
replied Mr. Brown, sternly, not liking the smiles that he saw on the
faces of Pat's friends, who were clustered around enjoying the
conversation.

"Ah, glory to God, but it's lucky men we are to have so kind-hearted an
inspector, so that when we is unfortunate he knows how to have
compassion on us. Lads," Pat continued, turning to the crowd, "don't
forget to mention Mr. Brown in your prayers, 'cos he's overlooked the
trifling sum that I owe him."

This long harangue was received with shouts of laughter, during the
continuance of which Mr. Pat Kegan stood before the inspector, with hat
in hand, and a face as demure as though no deviltry was at work within
his heart.

Mr. Brown did not reply, but made an almost imperceptible motion to the
sergeant of the force. The l