“If there is further evidence necessary,” said Vanston, looking at Hycy significantly, “my agent can produce it—­and he is now in the house.”

“I think you would not venture on that,” replied Hycy.

“Don’t be too sure of that,” said the other, determinedly.

“Sir,” replied Father Magowan, “there is nothing further on that point necessary—­the proof is plain and clear; and now, Bryan M’Mahon, give me your hand, for it is that of an honest man—­I am proud to see that you stand pure and unsullied again; and it shall be my duty to see that justice shall be rendered! you, and ample compensation made for all that you have suffered.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied Bryan, with an air of deep dejection, “but I am sorry to say it is now too late—­I am done with the country, and with those that misrepresented me, for ever.”

Chevydale looked at him with deep attention for a moment, then whispered something to Vanston, who smiled, and nodded his head approvingly.

Jemmy Burke now prepared to go.  “Good mornin’, gintlemen,” he said, “I am glad to see the honest name cleared and set right, as it ought to be; but as for myself, I lave you wid a heavy—­wid a breakin’ heart.”

As he disappeared at the door, Hycy rushed after him, exclaiming, “Father, listen to me—­don’t go yet till you hear my defence.  I will go and fetch him back,” he exclaimed—­“he must hear what I have to say for myself.”

He overtook his father at the bottom of the hall steps.  “Give me a hundred pounds,” said he, “and you will never see my face again.”

“There is two hundre’,” said his father; “I expected this.  Your mother confessed all to me this mornin’, bekaise she knew it would come out here, I suppose.  Go now, for undher my roof you’ll never come again.  If you can—­reform your life—­an’ live at all events, as if there was a God above you.  Before you go answer me;—­what made you bring in Bat Hogan to rob me?”

“Simply,” replied his son, “because I wished to make him and them feel that I had them in my power—­and now you have it.”

[Illustration:  PAGE 635—­ Hycy received the money, set spurs to his horse]

Hycy received the money, set spurs to his horse, and was out of sight in a moment—­“Ah!” exclaimed the old man, with bitterness of soul, “what mightn’t he be if his weak and foolish mother hadn’t taken it into her head to make a gentleman of him!  But now she reaps as she sowed.  She’s punished—­an’ that’s enough.”—­And thus does Hycy the accomplished make his exit from our humble stage.

“Gintlemen,” said Finigan, “now that the accomplished Mr. Hycy is disposed of, I beg to state, that it will be productive of much public good to the country to expatriate these three virtuous worthies, qui nomine gaudent Hogan—­and the more so as it can be done on clear legal grounds.  They are a principal means of driving this respectable young man, Bryan M’Mahon, and his father’s