“My father was talking about you last night, sir, and I think before long he will be able to put you on the scent of as pretty a conspiracy as was ever detected. He had some notion of opening a communication with government himself upon the subject; but I suggested--that is, I took the liberty, sir, if you will excuse me, but if I erred I assure you Mr. O'Driscol, my intentions were good--I say I took the liberty, sir, of suggesting that it would be better to place the matter in your hands, as a person possessing more influence with your friend, the Castle, and more conversant with the management of a matter that is too important to be in any but official hands. I have time at the preset only to allude to it, for I see Mr. Darby Hourigan there waiting to prosecute, or as he says to take the law of, your humble servant.” “Hang the scoundrel, what a hurry he is in! How did you quarrel with him?” “Faith, sir, in the first place, he was insolent and offensive beyond all patience.” “Yes, my dear John,” observed O'Driscol, with a good deal of solemn pomp, especially as the magistrate was beginning to supersede the man, “all that is very provoking, but at the same time you know the horsewhip is an illaygal instrument.” “I beg your pardon, sir,” replied Purcel, with a smile, “I believe not.” “I mane, John,” said the other, “an improper use of it is. You should be more cautious, John, in using it, for the punishment of any animal barring a horse. I have heard, by the way, many complaints against you on that head.” “Yes, sir, but you are not aware that it is from a principle of humanity I horsewhip the scoundrels.” “How is that now, John? for upon my honor and conscience I can't for the life of me persave any great humanity in it.” “Why, sir,” replied Purcel, who, as the reader must be aware, was humbugging the worthy magistrate all the time, “I appeal to yourself whether it is not better for any one of these rascals to get a horsewhipping from me than a citation to the Bishop's Court from my father.” “Ay, but do they never happen to get both, John?” returned the magistrate. “But what has a horsewhipping and a citaytion to the Bishop's Court to do with aich other?” “Simply this,” replied the other, “that when my father hears I horsewhip any of them, he takes no further proceedings against them; and whenever I wish, consequently, to keep a fellow out of that troublesome situation, I horsewhip him from pure kindness.” “So that you look upon that as a good turn to them?” “Precisely, sir. As I said, I horsewhip them from motives of humanity.” “Faith and don't be surprised, John, if they should happen to put a bullet through you from motives of humanity some of these days. However, do you think it is of importance?” “Is what, sir?” “The conspiracy. I beg your pardon--come into the office till I see what I can do for you at all events.”