It was now my turn. "Come, come," I said, "it is useless urging this man further. How much do you expect? The insolent proposal contained in your note is, you well know, out of the question. How much _money_ do you expect for keeping this wretched affair secret? State your terms at once." "A thousand per annum," was the reply, "and the first year down." "Modest, upon my word! But I suppose we must comply." I wrote out an agreement. "Will you sign this?" He ran it over. "Yes; Lady Seyton, as she calls herself, will take care it never sees the light." I withdrew, and in two or three minutes returned with a check. "Her ladyship has no present cash at the bankers," I said, "and is obliged to post-date this check twelve days." The rascal grumbled a good deal; but as there was no help for it, he took the security, signed the agreement, and walked off. "A sweet nut that for the devil to crack," observed Mr. Flint, looking savagely after him. "I am in hopes we shall trounce him yet, bravely as he carries it. The check of course is not payable to order or bearer" "Certainly not; and before twelve days are past, you will have returned from Ireland. The agreement may be, I thought, of use with Cunningham or Mullins. If they have been conspiring together, they will scarcely admire the light in which you can place the arrangement, as affording proof that he means to keep the lion's share of the reward to himself." "Exactly. At all events we shall get at the truth, whatever it be." The same evening Mr. Flint started for Dublin _viâ_ Holyhead.