“Thank your worship,” said Sam, who never called him anything else when exercising, or about to exercise his functions as a magistrate, “here’s the same, your worship—­God grant us both—­your worship at any rate—­a long life!”

“And a happy death, Sam; there is no harm to add that to it.”

“And a happy death, your worship!”

“Well, Sam, here’s the same!  And now I think in a few minutes my natural courage will return; for indeed I’m too kind-hearted, Sam, and too aisily made feel, as you persave, for the traisonable state of the country, and of the misguided people.  However, I only feel these things as a man, Sam, as a kind-hearted man, but not as a fearless and resolute magistrate, Sam:  as a magistrate I don’t know what fear is.”

“That’s well known, your worship; when you’re at the head of a body of polis or military, every one knows what you are; isn’t dare-devil Driscol, your worship, the best name they have for you?”

“True enough, Sam; d—­n them; a man, especially a magistrate, couldn’t be courageous unknown to them—­they’ll be sure to find it out.  I’m a good deal relieved, Sam, and—­hem—­hem—­let us proceed to investigate this important matter of Hourigan’s.  These Purcels are—­hem—­ahem—­too much in the habit of violating the law, Sam, and that’s not right—­it’s illaygal—­it’s illay-gal, Sam, to violate the law; I say so, and I think I can’t allow such breaches of the”—­here, however, the thought of the conspiracy occurred, and swayed him in a moment against Hourigan.  “To be sure Hourigan’s a scoundrel, and deserves a horsewhipping every day he rises.”

“True enough, sir; and sure if the Purcels break the law, it is only upon the people, and arn’t the people, your worship, as ready to break the law as the Purcels!  Sorra warrant, then, I’d grant against Misther John this bout.”

“And what would you do, Sam?”

“I’d bind Hourigan over to keep the pace.”

“I believe you’re right, Sam; he’s a bad bird, Hourigan; so I think the best thing to do is to tie his hands up for him.”

“And if we could tie his tongue up too, your worship, it ought to be done.”

Here, on the other hand, the notice he had just received stuck in his throat, and reduced him to a new perplexity.

“But then, Sam,” he added, “think of the revengeful spirit that is abroad.  Good Lord! it is awful!  Haven’t I this moment a threatening notice on my table?  Well,” he added, “if ever a man suffered in the cause of government as a public man and an active resolute magistrate, I do; indeed, Sam, if I had known the cares, and troubles, and responsibilities of my official situation, I am not certain whether I would not have preferred a private station; but you see government will find out men of talent and public spirit.  If I had less of either, it isn’t threatening letters I’d be resaving this day.  Come, then, let us go to the discharge of our duty, Sam, fearlessly and impartially, as a man entrusted with great public authority.”