to the brandy-flask and have a dram, and feel better, and begin to count up his chances, and what he might yet save out of the fire; and resolve to press vigorously for the agency, which he thought Dangerfield, if he wanted a useful man, could not fail to give him; and he had hinted the matter to Lord Castlemallard, who, he thought, understood and favoured his wishes.  Yes; that agency would give him credit and opportunity, and be the foundation of his new fortunes, and the saving of him.  A precious, pleasant companion, you may suppose, he was to poor little Mrs. Sturk, who knew nothing of his affairs, and could not tell what to make of her Barney’s eccentricities.

And so it was, somehow, when Dangerfield spoke his greeting at Sturk’s ear, and the doctor turned short round, and saw his white frizzed hair, great glass eyes, and crooked, short beak, quizzical and sinister, close by, it seemed for a second as if the ‘caw’ and the carrion-crow of his dream was at his shoulder; and, I suppose, he showed his discomfiture a little, for he smiled a good deal more than Sturk usually did at a recognition.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

IN WHICH MR. IRONS RECOUNTS SOME OLD RECOLLECTIONS ABOUT THE PIED HORSE AND THE FLOWER DE LUCE.

It was so well known in Chapelizod that Sturk was poking after Lord Castlemallard’s agency that Nutter felt the scene going on before his eyes between him and Dangerfield like a public affront.  His ire was that of a phlegmatic man, dangerous when stirred, and there was no mistaking, in his rigid, swarthy countenance, the state of his temper.

Dangerfield took an opportunity, and touched Nutter on the shoulder, and told him frankly, in effect, though he wished things to go on as heretofore, Sturk had wormed himself into a sort of confidence with Lord Castlemallard.

‘Not confidence, Sir—­talk, if you please,’ said Nutter grimly.

‘Well, into talk,’ acquiesced Dangerfield; ’and by Jove, I’ve a hard card to play, you see.  His lordship will have me listen to Doctor Sturk’s talk, such as it is.’

’He has no talk in him, Sir, you mayn’t get from any other impudent dunderhead in the town,’ answered Nutter.

‘My dear Sir, understand me.  I’m your friend,’ and he placed his hand amicably upon Nutter’s arm; ’but Lord Castlemallard has, now and then, a will of his own, I need not tell you; and somebody’s been doing you an ill turn with his lordship; and you’re a gentleman, Mr. Nutter, and I like you, and I’ll be frank with you, knowing ’twill go no further.  Sturk wants the agency.  You have my good-will. I don’t see why he should take it from you; but—­but—­you see his lordship takes odd likings, and he won’t always listen to reason.’

Nutter was so shocked and exasperated, that for a moment he felt stunned, and put his hand toward his head.

‘I think, Sir,’ said Nutter, with a stern, deliberate oath, I’ll write to Lord Castlemallard this evening, and throw up his agency; and challenge Sturk, and fight him in the morning.’