But still we shall not give too much space to Mr. Jinks, and shall proceed to detail very briefly the result of his explorations.

The great conspirator had, by the hour of eventide, procured all the information he wished.  That information led Mr. Jinks to believe that, on the following day, the opposing races would turn out in numbers, far exceeding those on any previous occasion.  They would have a grand pageant:—­St. Patrick would meet St. Michael in deadly conflict, and the result would undoubtedly overwhelm one of the combatants with defeat, elevating the other to the summit of joy and victory.

It was Mr. Jinks’ object to ensure the success of the worthy St. Michael, and prostrate the great St. Patrick in the dust.  But this was not all.  Mr. Jinks further desired to procure an adequate revenge upon his friend O’Brallaghan.  To overwhelm with defeat and dismay the party to which his enemy belonged, was not enough—­any common man could invent so plain a course as that.  It was Mr. Jinks’ boast, privately, and to himself be it understood, that he would arrange the details of an original and refined revenge—­a revenge which should, in equal degree, break down the strength and spirit of his enemy, and elevate the inventor to the niche of a great creative genius.

By the hour of nine that night all was arranged; and, after laboring for an hour or more at some mysterious employment, in the secresy of his apartment, Mr. Jinks descended, and ordered Fodder to be saddled.

Under his arm he carried a bundle of some size; and this bundle was placed carefully before him on the animal.

This done, Mr. Jinks went forth cautiously into the night.

Let us follow him.

He proceeds carefully toward the western portion of the town; then suddenly turns a corner, and goes northward; then changes his course, and takes his way eastward.  This is to throw enemies off the track.

Half an hour’s ride brings him in the neighborhood of Mistress O’Calligan’s.

What does he hear?  A voice singing;—­the voice of no less a personage than Mr. O’Brallaghan.

The conspirator retraces his steps for some distance—­dismounts—­ties Fodder to a tree-trunk; and then, with his bundle under his arm, creeps along in the shadow toward the cabin.

At Mrs. O’Calligan’s door, sitting upon the railing, he perceives the portly figure of Mr. O’Brallaghan, who is singing a song of his own composition; not the ditty which has come down to modern times connected with this gentleman’s name—­but another and more original madrigal.  The popular ditty, we have every reason to believe, was afterwards written by Mr. Jinks, in derision and contempt of Mr. O’Brallaghan.

Mr. Jinks creeps up; diabolical and gloomy thoughts agitate his soul; and when a night-cap appears at an opening in the shutter, and a fluttering voice exclaims, “Oh, now—­really!  Mr. O’Brallaghan,” the hidden spectator trembles with jealousy and rage.