Page 280 - The snake's pass

268 THE snake's pass.
There was no answering this Parthian shaft.
" Good-bye ! Andy," I said, as I left a sovereign in
his hand.
"Good luck! yer 'an'r; though what's the use iv wishin'
luck to a man, whin the fairies is wid him!"
The last thing I saw was Andy waving his ragged hat
as we passed the curve of the road round the lake before
Recess was hidden from our view.
When I got to Galway I found Mr. Caicy waiting for
me. He was most hearty in his welcome ; and told me
that as there was nearly an hour to wait before the
starting of the Dublin express, he had luncheon on the
table, and that we could discuss our business over it. We
accordingly adjourned to his house, and after explaining
to him what I wanted done with regard to the purchase
of the property at Knockcalltecrore, I told him that
Dick knew all the details, and would talk them over with
him when he saw him on the next evening.
I began my eastward journey with my inner man
in a most comfortable condition. Indeed, I concluded
that there was no preparation for a journey like a
bottle of ' Sneyd's 47 ' between two. I got to Dublin
in time for the night mail, and on the following morn-
ing walked into Mr. Chapman's office at half-past ten
o'clock.
He had all the necessary information for me
;
indeed, his zeal and his kindness were such that then
and there I opened my heart to him, and was right
glad that I had done so when I felt the hearty grasp