Page 287 - The snake's pass

A TRIP TO PARIS. 275
old Dick! It was just as well for Mr.. Murdock's
physical comfort, and for the peace of the neighbour-
hood, that I did not meet him then and there ; for, under
these favouring conditions, there would have been a con-
tinuance of his experiences under the hands of Dick
Sutherland.
Then Dick went on to tell me at greater length what
Norah had conveyed in her letter—that, since I had left,
Murdock had taken Bat Moynahan to live with him, and
kept him continually drunk ; that the two of them were
evidently trying to locate the whereabouts of the trea-
sure; and that, whenever they thought they were not
watched, they trespassed on Joyce's land, to get near a
certain part of the bog.
"I mean to watch them the first dark night," wrote
Dick, at the close of his letter ; " for I cannot help
thinking that there is some devilment on foot. I don't
suppose you care much for the treasure — you've
got a bigger treasure from Knockcalltecrore than ever
was hidden in it by men—but, all the same, it is yours
after Murdock's time is up; and, as the guardian of
your interest, I feel that I have a right to do whatever
may be necessary to protect you. I have seen, at times,
Murdock give such a look at Moynahan out of the corners
of his eyes—when he thought no one was looking—that,
upon my soul, I am afraid he means—if he gets the chance
— to murder the old man, after he has pumped him
of all he knows. I don't want to accuse a man of such
an intention, without being able to prove it, and of course