It was as much his object to get me disposed of as it was mine to dispose of him.

My only chance was to seem to know nothing, and keep a sharp look- out on him.
"You're fond of riding," said he with a sneer; "it's worth a ride to Fahan to fetch a truss of straw when there's plenty in the stable." "There's more than straw in this," said I, lifting it up and carrying it up to the house.

"Man, dear, it's full of guns." He was not to be taken in by chaff like that, he said.

And indeed he fully believed, as I hoped he would, that I was making a fool of him.
"Since you don't believe me, you might carry it indoors for me, while I put up the mare," said I, risking a little more to make sure of him.
"You may carry your own litter," said he, "and hold your tongue over it." So I carried the truss into the kitchen, and laid it in the corner there, and presently returned to the yard.
He had taken Juno into the stable, and was unsaddling her there.
"Come here," he called, "and put up your own beast." I guessed pretty well what he meant by that.

The stable was a small one, with only one little grated window high up, and a thick door.
Could he lock me in there, I should be quiet enough for the rest of the evening.
Happily for me Martin was a dull fool as well as a great villain, and he betrayed his purpose by the glitter of his eye too clearly for any one to mistake him.