“I-I-I-’d dance li-i-i-ke a fa-a-a-iree-ee-ee,
    For to see ould Dunlear-e-e-e-e-e! 
  I-I-I-’d think twi-i-i-ice e-e-e-r-r I-I-I-’d lave it,
    For to be-e-e-e-e a drag-o-o-n.”

Franklin chuckled at the reminiscent music as he stepped in and said good morning.  “You seem in fine fettle this morning, friend,” said he.  “Very fine, for an old man.”

Battersleigh squared around and looked at him soberly.  “Ned,” said he, “ye’re a dethractor of innycince.  Batty ould!  Listen to me, boy!  It’s fifty years younger I am to-day than when I saw ye last.  I’m younger than ye ivver saw me in all your life before.”

“And what and where was the fountain?” said Franklin, as he seated himself at his desk.

“The one fountain of all on earth, me boy—­Succiss—­succiss!  The two dearest things of life are Succiss and Revinge.  I’ve found thim both.  Shure, pfwhat is that gives one man the lofty air an’ the overlookin’ eye, where another full his ekil in inches fears to draw the same breath o’ life with him?  Succiss, succiss, me boy!  Some calls it luck, though most lays it to their own shupayrior merit.  For Batty, he lays it to nothin’ whativver, but takes it like a philosopher an’ a gintleman.”

“Well, I suppose you don’t mind my congratulating you on your success, whatever it may be,” said Franklin, as he began to busy himself about his work at the desk.  “You’re just a trifle mysterious, you know.”

“There’s none I’d liever have shake me by the hand than yoursilf, Ned,” said Battersleigh, “the more especially by this rayson, that ye’ve nivver believed in ould Batty at all, but thought him a visionary schamer, an’ no more.  Didn’t ye, now, Ned; on your honour?”

“No,” said Franklin stoutly.  “I’ve always known you to be the best fellow in the world.”

“Tut, tut!” said Battersleigh.  “Ye’re dodgin’ the issue, boy.  But pfwhat wud ye say now, Ned, if I should till ye I’d made over tin thousand pounds of good English money since I came to this little town?”

“I should say,” said Franklin calmly, as he opened an envelope, “that you had been dreaming again.”

“That’s it!  That’s it!” cried Battersleigh.  “Shure ye wud, an’ I knew it!  But come with me to bank this mornin’ an’ I’ll prove it all to ye.”

Something in his voice made Franklin wheel around and look at him.  “Oh, do be serious, Battersleigh,” said he.

“It’s sayrious I am, Ned, I till ye.  Luk at me, boy.  Do ye not see the years droppin’ from me?  Succiss!  Revinge!  Cash!  Earth holds no more for Batty.  I’ve thim all, an’ I’m contint.  This night I retire dhrunk, as a gintleman should be.  To-morrow I begin on me wardrobe.  I’m goin’ a longish journey, lad, back to ould England.  I’m a long-lost son, an’ thank God!  I’ve not been discovered yit, an’ hope I’ll not be fer a time.