IN WHICH MR.

DANGERFIELD RECEIVES A VISITOR, AND MAKES A CALL.
Dangerfield walked out and blandly greeted the visitor, who turned out to be Mr.Justice Lowe.
'I give you good-morning, Sir; pray, alight and step in.

Hallo, Doolan, take Mr.Justice Lowe's horse.' So Mr.Lowe thanked him, in his cold way, and bowing, strode into the Brass Castle; and after the customary civilities, sat himself down, and says he-- 'I've been at the Crown Office, Sir, about this _murder_, we may call it, upon Sturk, and I told them you could throw a light, as I thought, on the matter.' 'As how, Sir ?' 'Why, regarding the kind of feeling that subsisted between the prisoner, Nutter, and Doctor Sturk.' ''Tis unpleasant, Sir, but I can't object.' 'There was an angry feeling about the agency, I believe?
Lord Castlemallard's agency, eh ?' continued Lowe.
'Well, I suppose it _was_ that; there certainly was an unpleasant feeling--_very_ unpleasant.' 'You've heard him express it ?' 'Yes; I think most gentlemen who know him have.

Why, he made no disguise of it; he was no great talker, but we've heard him on that subject.' 'But you specially know how it stood between them in respect of the agency ?' 'Yes.' 'Very good, Sir,' said Lowe.
'And I've a notion that something decisive should be done toward effecting a full discovery, and I'll consider of a method,' replied Dangerfield.
'How do you mean ?' said Lowe, looking up with a glance like a hawk.
'How! why I'll talk it over with Mrs.Sturk this evening.' 'Why, what has she got to tell ?' 'Nothing, as I suppose; I'll see her to-day; there's nothing to tell; but something, I think, to be done; it hasn't been set about rightly; 'tis a botched business hitherto--that's in _my_ judgment.' 'Yet 'tis rather a strong case,' answered Mr.Lowe, superciliously.
'Rather a strong case, so it is, but I'll clench it, Sir; it ought to be certain.' 'Well, Sir ?' said Lowe, who expected to hear more.
'Yes,' said Dangerfield, briskly, ''twill depend on _her; I'll_ suggest, _she'll_ decide.' 'And why _she_, Sir ?' said Lowe sharply.
'Because 'tis her business and her right, and no one else can,' answered Dangerfield just as tartly, with his hands in his breeches' pockets, and his head the least thing o' one side, and then with a bow, 'won't you drink a glass of wine, Sir ?' which was as much as to say, you'll get no more from me.
'I thank you, Sir, no; 'tis a little too early for me.' And so with the usual ceremonies, Mr.Lowe departed, the governor of the Brass Castle walking beside his horse, as far as the iron gate, to do him honour; and as he rode away towards Lucan, Mr.Dangerfield followed him with a snowy smirk.
Then briskly, after his wont, the knight of the shining spectacles made his natty toilet; and in a few minutes his cocked hat was seen gliding along the hedge toward Chapelizod.
He glanced up at Sturk's window--it was a habit now--so soon as he came in sight, but all looked as usual.

So he mounted the steps, and asked to see Mrs.Sturk.
'My dear Madam,' said he, after due courtesies interchanged, 'I've but a few minutes; my horse waits yonder at the Phoenix, and I'm away to town.