sir,' said Sharkey, with a knowing grin. 'Is it Behring's Straits?'
said Mr. Burke. 'What do you think of Galway, sir?' said Sharkey, with
a leer intended to cement a friendship for life; the words were no
sooner out of his lips, than Burke, who immediately took them as a piece
of direct insolence to himself and his country, felled him to the earth,
and was in the act of continuing the discipline when I arrived on the
field of battle."




CHAPTER XXI.

A NIGHT AT HOWTH.

"And must you really leave us so soon," said Tom as we issued forth into
the street; "why I was just planning a whole week's adventure for you.
Town is so full of all kinds of idle people, I think I could manage to
make your time pass pleasantly enough."

"Of that," I replied, "I have little doubt; but for the reasons I have
just mentioned, it is absolutely necessary that I should not lose a
moment; and after arranging a few things here, I shall start to-morrow by
the earliest packet, and hasten up to London at once."

"By Jupiter," said Tom, "how lucky. I just remember something, which
comes admirably apropos. You are going to Paris--is it not so?"

"Yes, direct to Paris."