“M'Mahon,” replied the agent, “I am sorry to hear this, both on your own account and that of your family. If I don't mistake, you were cautioned and warned against this; but it was useless; yes, I am sorry for it; and for you, too.” “I don't properly understand you, sir,” said Bryan. “Did I not myself forewarn you against having anything to do in matters contrary to the law? You must remember I did, and on the very last occasion, too, when you were in my office.” “I remember it right well, sir,” replied Bryan, “and I say now as I did then, that I am not the man to break the law, or have act or part in anything that's contrary to it. I know nothing about this business, except that three ruffianly looking fellows named Hogan, common tinkers, and common vagabonds to boot--men that are my enemies--are the persons by all accounts who set up the still on my property. As for myself, I had no more to do in it or with it than yourself or Mr. Chevydale here.” “Well,” replied Fethertonge, “I hope not. I should feel much disappointed if you had, but you know, Bryan,” he added, good-humoredly, “we could scarcely expect that you should admit such a piece of folly, not to call it by a harsher name.” “If I had embarked in it,” replied M'Mahon, “I sartinly would not deny it to you or Mr. Chevydale, at least; but, as I said before, I know nothing more about it, than simply it was these ruffians and a fellow named Phats, a Distiller, that set it a-working,--however, the question is, what am I to do? If I must pay the fine for the whole townland, it will beggar me--ruin me. It was that brought me to my landlord here,” he added; “I believe, sir, you have a brother a Commissioner of Excise?” “Eh? what is that?” asked Chevydaie, looking up suddenly as Bryan asked the question. M'Mahon was obliged to repeat all the circumstances once more, as did Feathertonge the warning he had given him against having any connection with illegal proceedings. “I am to get a memorial drawn up tomorrow, sir,” proceeded Bryan, “and I was thinking that by giving the Board of Excise a true statement of the case, they might reduce the fine; if they don't, I am ruined--that's all.” “Certainly,” said his landlord, “that is a very good course to take; indeed, your only course.” “I hope, sir,” proceeded Bryan, “that as you now know the true circumstances of the case, you'll be kind, enough to support my petition; I believe your brother, sir, is one of the Commissioners; you would sartinly be able to do something with him.” “No,” replied Chevydaie, “I would not ask anything from him; but I shall support your Petition, and try what I can do with the other Commissioners. On principle, however, I make it a point never to ask anything from my brother.” “Will I bring you the Petition, sir?” asked Bryan. “Fetch me the Petition.” “And Bryan,” said Fethertonge, raising his finger at him as if by way of warning--and laughing--“hark ye, let this be the last.”