"Well," said Wood, with an awkward smile, "I suppose that a deed for one
half, on the consideration of friendship, my dear sir, and a dollar in
hand paid by me, might be reconcilable."

"Now it's talkin' ye are. But who's the felly we're foighten, that's got
the Ring?"

"Ah, my dear sir, it's the United States," said the lawyer with gravity.

"The States! the Government is it? And is't that ye're afeared of?
Sure it's the Government that I fought in me own counthree, it was the
Government that druv me to Ameriky, and is it now that I'm going back on
me principles?"

"Your political sentiments do you great credit," began Mr. Wood.

"But fwhot's the Government to do wid the appale?"

"The Government," said Mr. Wood significantly, "will be represented by
the District Attorney."

"And who's the spalpeen?"

"It is rumored," said Mr. Wood, slowly, "that a new one is to be
appointed. I, myself, have had some ambition that way."

His client bent a pair of cunning but not over-wise grey eyes on his
American lawyer. But he only said, "Ye have, eh?"