"
"But I think my views are finer."
"They're fine enough," replied Art; "but where's the lake afore the
door?"
The Squire said no more about his prospects.
"Art," he continued, "would you carry a letter from me to M-----?"
"I'll be wantin' somethin' to dhrink on the way," said Art.
"You shall get something to eat and drink before you go," said the
Squire, "and half-a-crown for your trouble."
"Augh," exclaimed Art, "be dodda, sir, you're nosed like Sir William,
and chinned like Captain Taylor." This was always Art's compliment when
pleased.
The Squire brought him up to the house, ordered him refreshment, and
while Art partook of it, wrote a _letter of mittimus_ to the county
jailor, authorizing him to detain the bearer in prison until he should
hear further from him.
Art, having received the half-crown and the letter, appeared delighted;
but, on hearing the name of the person to whom it was addressed, he
smelt a trick. He promised faithfully, however, to deliver it, and
betrayed no symptoms whatever of suspicion. After getting some distance
from the big house, he set his wits to work, and ran over in his mind
the names of those who had been most in the habit of annoying him. At
the head of this list stood Phelim O'Toole, and on Phelim's head did
he resolve to transfer the revenge which the Squire, he had no doubt,
intended to take on himself.
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