“They're safer than ever; take my word for it, father, that these fellows know the trick of it better than all that went before them. They 'll just do whatever the nation and the 'Times' dictate to them; a little slower, mayhap, than they are ordered, but they 'll do it They have no embarrassments of a policy of any kind; and the only pretence of a principle they possess is to sit on the Treasury benches.” “And they 're right, Davy,--they 're right,” said the old man, energetically. “I don't doubt but they are, sir; the duty of the pilot is to take charge of the ship, but not to decide the port she sails for.” “I wish you were one of them, Davy; they'd suit you, and you 'd suit _them_.” “So we should, sir; and who knows what may turn up? I'm not impatient” “That's right, Davy; that's the lesson I always taught you; wait,--wait!” “When did you see Driscoll, father?” asked Dunn, after a pause. “He was here last week; he's up to his ears about that claim to the Beecher estate, Lord--Lord--What's his--” “Lackington.” “Yes, Lord Lackington. He says if you were once come home, you 'd get him leave to search the papers in the Record Tower at the Castle, and that it would be the making of himself if anything came out of it.” “He's always mare's-nesting, sir,” said Dunn, carelessly. “Faith, he has contrived to feather his own nest, anyhow,” said the old man, laughing. “He lent Lord Glengariff five thousand pounds t' other day at six per cent, and on as good security as the Bank.” “Does he pretend to have discovered anything new with respect to that claim?” “He says there's just enough to frighten them, and that _your_ help--the two of ye together--could work it well.” “He has not, then, found out the claimant?” “He has his name, and the regiment he's in, but that's all. He was talking of writing to him.” “If he's wise, he'll let it alone. What chance would a poor soldier in the ranks have against a great lord, if he had all the right in the world on his side?” “So I told him; but he said we could make a fine thing out of it, for all that; and, somehow, Davy, he's mighty seldom mistaken.” “If he be, sir, it is because he has hitherto only meddled with what lay within his power. He can scheme and plot and track out a clew in the little world he has lived in; but let him be careful how he venture upon that wider ocean of life where his craft would be only a cock-boat.” “He hasn't _your_ stuff in him, Davy,” cried the old man, in ecstasy; and a very slight flush rose to the other's cheek at the words, but whether of pride, or shame, or pleasure, it were hard to say. “I 've nothing to offer you, Davy, except a cut of cold pork; could you eat it?” said the old man. “I'm not hungry, father; I'm tired somewhat, but not hungry.” “I'm tired, too,” said the old man, sighing; “but, to be sure, it's time for me,--I 'll be eighty-nine if I live till the fourth of next month. That's a long life, Davy.” “And it has been an active one, sir.”