Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/291

 might have a girrul lukin' black at me iv'ry time I dhruv by. The house beyant it is a public, an' shure I know I'm safe there anyhow—if me dhrouth'll only hould out!"

I took the hint, and Andy spun my shilling in the air as he drove off. Dick and I walked together, and when he was out of earshot I said:—

"Now, old fellow, we are alone! What is it?"

"It's about Murdock."

"Not more than you told me in your letter, I hope. I owe you a good turn for that thrashing you gave him!"

"Oh, that was nothing; it was a labour of love! What I want to speak of is a much more serious affair."

"Nothing to touch Norah, I hope?" I said anxiously.

"This individual thing is not, thank God! but everything which that ruffian can do to worry her or any of us will be done. We'll have to watch him closely."

"What is this new thing?"

"It is about old Moynahan. I am in serious doubt and anxiety as to what I should do. At present I have only suspicion to go on, and not the faintest shadow of proof, and I really want help and advice."

"Tell me all about it."

"I shall! exactly as I remember it; and when I have told you, you may be able to draw some conclusion which can help us."

"Go on! but remember I am, as yet, in ignorance of what it is all about. You must not take any knowledge on my part for granted."