“I don’t doubt but he is right enough there, your worship,” observed Purcel, “there’s a conspiracy—­”

“Yes,” exclaimed the magistrate, “oh! ay!—­yes!—­hem—­a conspiracy!  Well—­no matter—­let it rest for a little.  Well—­as this case is one of great difficulty, involving several profound points of law, I would recommend you to make it up, and be friends.  Hourigan, you will forgive Mr. Purcel, who is hasty but generous.  You will forgive him, I say, and he will give you something in the shape of a—­salve for your wounds.  Come, forgive him, Hourigan, and I will overlook, on my part, the seditious language you used against the Irish magistracy; and, besides, you will make me your friend.”

“Forgive him, sir!” said Hourigan, shrugging himself, and putting up his hand to feel the welts of black and blue which intersected each other upon his countenance and shoulders.  “An’ maybe it’s half-a-crown he’ll threwn me.”

“No, no, Hourigan, I’ll guarantee for him that he’ll treat you liberally:  one good turn deserves another, you know.”

“Well, then, let him say what he’ll give me.”

“There’s a pound-note for you,” said Purcel, flinging it across the table.  “If you take that, you may, but if not, I’ll give no more.  Your worship, this, you perceive, is cross-case, and if you receive examination on the one side, you will, of course, upon the other?”

“True,” replied O’Driscol, who had not thought of this, and who seized upon it as a perfect relief to him; “true, Mr. Purcel, it is a cross-case, and so I understand it.  Let me recommend you to take the money, Hourigan.”

“Well, then, your honor, I will, on your account, and bekaise, as your worship says, bekaise one good tarn desarues another, an’ ought to get it.  I’m satisfied for the present.”  And as he spoke, he turned, in a skulking, furtive manner, such a look upon Purcel as we will not attempt to describe.

“Now, Hourigan,” said O’Driscol, “I am glad I have settled this matter in your favor.  If I had taken Mr. Purcel’s informations, you would have certainly been transported; but the truth is, and I trust you have seen it this day, and will allow it, that in my magisterial capacity, although just and impartial I hope, yet, still, whenever I can with raison, I am always disposed to lane towards the poor man, and be the poor man’s magistrate—­hem—­ahem!”

“Yes, plaise your honor,” said Hourigan, rather drily, “but it’s so hard to make the people at large believe the truth, sir.  Good-mornin’, your worship, an’ many thanks for the illigant justice you gave me.  Good-mornin’ you, too, Misther Purcel; I hope we’ll be betther friends, sir.”

“And I hope you will pay your tithes, and keep a civiler tongue in your head,” replied the latter, as Hourigan left the office.