“Oh, that illustrious attorney, Mr. Scanlan, I 've no doubt. Let us draw up till he passes.” And so saying, Repton moved to one side of the road, giving a wide space for the other to proceed on his way. Mr. Scanlan, however, had subdued his nags, by a low, soft whistle, to a half-trot, when, giving the reins to his servant, he descended and advanced to the carriage. “I've been in pursuit of you, gentlemen,” said he, touching his hat courteously, “for the last four miles, and I assure you you 've given me a breathing heat of it. Mr. Martin requested me to hand you this note, sir,” added he, addressing Repton, “which demands immediate attention.” The note was marked “Instantaneous,” and “Strictly private,” on the cover, and Repton opened it at once. Its contents were as follows,-- “Dear Rep.,--The post has just arrived, with intelligence that Harry is coming home,--may be here within a week or so,--so that we must not go on with our present plans for the borough, as H., of course, will stand. Come back, therefore, at once, and let as talk over the matter together. “Yours, in haste, “G. M.” “You know what this contains, perhaps?” said Repton, in a whisper to Scanlan. He nodded an assent, and the old lawyer re-read the note. “I don't see my way here quite clearly,” added he, in the same subdued voice, to Scanlan. “I'll stroll on and stretch my legs a bit,” said Jack, springing out of the pony phaeton, and seeing that the others had some private matter of discussion; and Scanlan now drew nigh, while Repton informed him what the note contained. “It's a little too late for this now,” said Scanlan, gravely. “How do you mean too late?” asked Repton. “Why, that Massingbred stands well with the people in the borough. They think that he 'll be more their man than Martin's, and, indeed, they 're so confident of it, I half suspect he has told them so.” “But there has been no canvass as yet,--his address isn't even printed.” “There has been a correspondence, however,” said Scanlan, with a knowing wink. “Take my word for it, Mr. Repton, he 's a deep fellow.” “Are you quite sure of this?--can you pledge yourself to its truth?” “I only know that Father Rafferty said the night before last he was satisfied with him, and the one difficulty was about old Nelligan, who somehow is greatly incensed against Massingbred.” “He 'd have no chance in the borough without us,” said Repton, confidently. “If old Dan would consent to spend the money, he'd be the member in spite of us,” rejoined Scanlan.