Page 285 - The snake's pass

A TRIP TO PARIS. 273
When I had read Norah's letter over a few times,
and feared that Mr. Chapman would take humorous
notice of my absorbtion, I turned to the other letter,
which I knew was from Dick. I brought this from
the window to the table, beside which I sat to read it,
Mr. Chapman being still deep in his own neglected corre-
spondence.
I need not give his letter in detail. It was long and
exhaustive, and told me accurately of every step taken
and everything accomplished since I had seen him.
Mr. Caicy had made his appearance, as arranged, and
the two had talked over and settled affairs. Mr. Caicy
had lost no time, and fortune had so favoured him that
he found that nearly all the tenants on the east side
of the hill wished to emigrate, and so were anxious to
realize on their holdings. The estate from which they
held was in bankruptcy ; and as a sale was then being
effected, Mr. Caicy had purchased the estate, and then
made arrangements for all who wished to purchase to
do so on easy terms from me. The nett result was, that
when certain formalities should be complied with, and
certain moneys paid, I should own the whole of Knockcall-
tecrore and the land immediately adjoining it, together
with certain other parcels of land in the neighbourhood.
There were other matters of interest also inhis letter. He
told me that Murdock, in order to spite and injure
Joyce, had completed the damming up of the stream
which ran from his land into the Cliff Fields by
blocking with great stones the narrow chine in the