“I tell you that you shall have it from Hosey's own lips. He showed the post-mark on the back of the letter to Father Rafferty, and it was 'Cape Town, August 24.' Now, as Hosey knows young Martin's writing as well as any man, what doubt can there be about it?” “By that calculation,” said Jack, thoughtfully, “he might be here within the present month!” “Exactly what Father Neal said.” “A shrewd fellow that same Hosey must be to put things together in this fashion,” said Jack. “Such a head as he has on his shoulders might n't be a bad counsellor at this moment.” “Just come and talk to him a bit,” rejoined Magennis; “say you want to be trimmed about the whiskers, and he'll be a proud man to have you under his hand.” “And the committee are satisfied with my letter?” asked Jack. “They are, and they are not; but, on the whole, they think it's a step in the right direction to get anything out of the Martins, and, as Father Neal remarks, 'where we can pass with our head, we can put our whole body through.'” “But what 's to be done about Nelligan? The breach with him is, I suspect, irreparable.” “Why, it was Nelligan himself moved the first resolution in the committee, that your address be accepted as embodying the views--he said the present views--of the liberal electors.” “You amaze me!” cried Massingbred; “and Joe, where was he?” “Joe is off to Dublin; there 's some examination or other he must attend. But old Dan is your friend, rely upon that.” “This is inexplicable,” muttered Jack to himself. “We 'll go there, straight, the moment we get into the town. He 'll take it as a great compliment; and you can talk to him frankly and openly, for old Dan is a man to be trusted.” “I wish I could guess at how this reconciliation has been effected,” muttered Jack. “It was your letter did it, I think.” “But I never wrote one.” “Well, somebody else did, perhaps; at all events, Dan had an open letter in his hand when he addressed the committee, and said, 'After reading this, gentlemen,' said he, 'I can only say that I 'll not oppose Mr. Massingbred; and if the free and independent men of Oughterard ask me who is the man to represent them, I'll answer, he 's your man! And what's more, there 's my name down for two hundred pounds for the election, if it ever comes to be a contest!'” “This is all very good, but very strange news,” cried Jack. “Well, I can explain nothing of the mystery, if there be one. I only know what I heard and saw myself.” “Let us go to his house, at all events,” said Massingbred, who now suffered his companion to rattle on about the state of parties and politics in Oughterard, little heeding his remarks, and only bent on following out his own thoughts. “Give whom the slip?” asked he, suddenly catching at the last words of some observation of Magennis.