“Do so, Mr. Burke; in the mean time I have the pleasure of wishing you a very good evening, sir.” “Oh, a good-evening, sir,” replied the old fellow, “and when you come home from the wars a full non-commissioned officer, you'll be scowerin' up your halbert every Christmas an' Aisther, I hope; an' telling us long stories--of all you killed an' ate while you were away from us.” Harry Clinton, now aware that the anonymous letter which his uncle had received that morning was the production of Hycy, resolved to watch the gauger's motions very closely. After a great deal of reflection upon Hycy's want of memory concerning their bargain, and upon a close comparison between his conduct and whole manner on the night in question, and his own account of the matter in the course of their last interview, he could not help feeling that his friend had stated a gross falsehood, and that the pretended want of recollection was an ingenious after-thought, adopted for the purpose of screening himself from the consequences of whatever injury he might inflict upon Bryan M'Mahon. “Harry,” said his uncle, as nine o'clock approached, “I am going upon duty tonight.” “In what direction, sir? may I ask.” “Yes, you may, but I'm not bound to tell you. In this instance, however, there is no necessity for secrecy; it is now too late to give our gentleman the hard word, so I don't care much if I do tell you. I am bound for Ahadarra.” “For Ahadarra--you say for Ahadarra, uncle?” “I do, nephew.” “By heavens, he is the deepest and most consummate scoundrel alive,” exclaimed Harry; “I now see it all. Uncle, I wish to God you would--would---I don't know what to say.” “That's quite evident, nor what to think either. In the mean time the soldiers are waiting for me in Ballymacan, and so I must attend to my duty, Harry.” “Is it upon the strength of the blotted letter you got this morning, sir, that you are now acting”?” “No, sir; but upon the strength of a sure spy dispatched this day to the premises. I am a little too shrewd now, Master Harry, to act solely upon anonymous information. I have been led too many devil's dances by it in my time, to be gulled in my old age on the strength of it.” He immediately prepared himself for the excursion, mounted his horse, that was caparisoned in a military saddle, the holsters furnished with a case of pistols, which, with a double case that he had on his person and two daggers, constituted his weapons of offence and defence.