“Well then, Mr Lynch, I didn’t exactly know him; but living so near him, and he having so much business in the county, and myself having a little, I believe I’ve been in company with him, odd times.”

“He was a queer man:  wasn’t he, Mr Daly?”

“Was he, then?  I dare say.  I didn’t know much about him.  I’ll take the sugar from you, Mr Lynch; I believe I might as well mix a drop, as the night’s cold.”

“That’s right.  I thought you weren’t the fellow to sit with an empty glass before you.  But, as I was saying before, the old boy was a queer hand; that is, latterly—­for the last year or so.  Of course you know all about his will?”

“Faith then, not much.  I heard he left a will, dividing the property between you and Miss Lynch.”

“He did!  Just at the last moment, when the breath wasn’t much more than left in him, he signed a will, making away half the estate, just as you say, to my sister.  Blake could have broke the will, only he was so d——­ pig-headed and stupid.  It’s too late now, I suppose?”

“Why, I could hardly answer that, you know, as I never heard the circumstances; but I was given to understand that Blake consulted McMahon; and that McMahon wouldn’t take up the case, as there was nothing he could put before the Chancellor.  Mind I’m only repeating what people said in Tuam, and about there.  Of course, I couldn’t think of advising till I knew the particulars.  Was it on this subject, Mr Lynch, you were good enough to send for me?”

“Not at all, Mr Daly.  I look upon that as done and gone; bad luck to Blake and McMahon, both.  The truth is, between you and me, Daly—­I don’t mind telling you; as I hope now you will become my man of business, and it’s only fair you should know all about it—­the truth is, Blake was more interested on the other side, and he was determined the case shouldn’t go before the Chancellor.  But, when my father signed that will, it was just after one of those fits he had lately; that could be proved, and he didn’t know what he was doing, from Adam!  He didn’t know what was in the will, nor, that he was signing a will at all; so help me, he didn’t.  However, that’s over.  It wasn’t to talk about that that I sent for you; only, sorrow seize the rogue that made the old man rob me!  It wasn’t Anty herself, poor creature; she knew nothing about it; it was those who meant to get hold of my money, through her, that did it.  Poor Anty!  Heaven knows she wasn’t up to such a dodge as that!”

“Well, Mr Lynch, of course I know nothing of the absolute facts; but from what I hear, I think it’s as well to let the will alone.  The Chancellor won’t put a will aside in a hurry; it’s always a difficult job—­would cost an immense sum of money, which should, any way, come out of the property; and, after all, the chances are ten to one you’d be beat.”

“Perhaps you’re right, now; though I’m sure, had the matter been properly taken up at first—­had you seen the whole case at the first start, the thing could have been done.  I’m sure you would have said so; but that’s over now; it’s another business I want you for.  But you don’t drink your punch!—­and it’s dry work talking, without wetting one’s whistle,” and Barry carried out his own recommendation.