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He had contrived, however, to pick up something, in which Ballycloran, rents, Keegan, and a bog-hole were introduced in marvellous close connection, and he was not slow in coming to the determination that he had been wrong when he fancied that Ussher was the object against whom plots were being formed, and that Keegan was the doomed man; but what was worse still, he was led to imagine that the perpetrators of Mr.
Macdermot; so you've had a breeze with the attorney, have you? And was Thady here at the time?" "He was in it all the time; and divil a word he'd say for himself, or Feemy, or his father, or the owld place either; but just wanted me, Captain, to give it all up to them at once, the ruffians! and when I wouldn't, he went off with Keegan to Carrick.
I know, if you have for a moment thought of this crime, you have now repented it: tell me how far you have gone, and if you are in danger; if you have done that which was very, very wicked. I will still try and screen you from the effects of a sin, which I am sure was not premeditated. Is there any plot to murder Keegan?" "There is not." "As you are a living man, there's none?" "There is not."
"No; maybe he gave me a Christmas-box or so; he's very good to a poor boy like me in that way, is Mr. Keegan." "In whose employment were you six months ago?" "In Mr. Macdermot's; yourself knows that well enough." "And Mr. Macdermot and Mr. Keegan were great friends at that time; weren't they?" "Faix they were not; I never seed much frindship betwixt 'em."
"Oh then, Father John, he's satisfied to say men become Protestants when they are no longer fit to be Catholics; was that the way yourself become a Protestant, Captain Ussher?" "If I'm to be d d for that, you know, it's my father's and mother's fault. I ain't like Keegan. I didn't choose the bad road myself."
Keegan, when he found that his antagonist, like a dog cowed by a blow, was not inclined to come again to the fight, turned on his heel, and walked back to the place where he had left his horse.
Macdermot kept up his heart wonderfully through the whole week. He never repined, nor once even alluded to Keegan. Father John spent the whole of Sunday with him. It was to be his last in this world; the last time he was to watch the light growing out of the darkness and the darkness following the light. As the minutes flew by, his face became gradually paler, and his hand occasionally trembled.
"I didn't ask who was your master; who is your master now?" "Why, Mr. Keegan." "Mr. Hyacinth Keegan, that's just gone out of court; he's your master, eh?" "He is." "And a very good master isn't he?" "Betther, maybe, than yer honour'd be, and yet perhaps none of the best." "Answer my questions, sir; isn't he a good master?" "Faix, he is so." "How long have you been in his employment?" "How long!"
Keegan, by the living Lord, this day's work shall cost you dear!" and then, indulging that ready profuseness of threats in which the less educated of his countrymen are so prone to indulge, he returned within the gateway of the avenue, and proceeded a short way towards the house.
"Brady, the confidential servant of the prisoner, both saw and overheard what took place at this interview, as he has told you, and he afterwards, as he will not deny, though he will not confess it, incited his master, during the period of his natural irritation, to go down to the wedding party, to meet a number of his tenants who would be willing to assist him in revenging himself against his enemy Keegan, the attorney, if he would assist them against their enemy, Ussher, the Revenue officer.
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