Now think of these words, and so
good-bye, M'Mahon! Indeed, I am glad for your own sake I met
you--good-bye!"
As he uttered the last words he dashed on and left Bryan in a state
of perfect amazement at the strange and incomprehensible nature of the
communication he had just received. Indeed, so full was his mind of the
circumstance, that forgetting all his suspicions of Fethertonge, and
urged by the ingenuous impulse of an honest heart, he could not prevent
himself in the surprise and agitation of the moment from detailing the
conversation which he had just had with the gauger.
"That is singular enough," said Fethertonge--"he named Hycy Burke,
then?"
"He did, sir."
"It is singular," proceeded the other, as if speaking to himself; "in
truth, my dear M'Mahon, we were talking about you, discussing, in fact,
the same subject not many minutes ago; and what you tell me now is only
an additional proof that Clinton, who is sometimes harshly spoken of by
the way, is a straightforward, honest man."
"What could he mane, sir?" asked Bryan, "I never had anything to do
contrary to the law--I haven't now, nor do I ever intend to have--"
"Well, I'm sure I do not know," replied the agent: "he made no illusion
of that kind to me, from a generous apprehension, I dare say, lest he
might injure you in my opinion.
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