“You are quite right.  How do you propose to proceed?”

“I was thinking, sir, of sending a statement to my uncle, similar to that which I laid before you, going somewhat further into details, and promising that, if he would surrender the property to me and publicly acknowledge me as his nephew, giving what reason he chose for having so long concealed his knowledge of the fact, I would take no proceedings against him, and would do my best to prevent any discredit falling upon him.”

“That would do very well,” the lawyer said, “but I should abstain from making any allusion to the protectors you have gained.  He will learn that soon enough, and it will be well to see what his first impulse is.  Do not mention the names of the Duke of Berwick and the others, who have testified to your likeness to your late father.  Simply say that many of his comrades have recognized your likeness to him.  It is of no use showing him all the cards we have to play.  I should not send the letter by post, but by hand.  If you like, I will despatch one of my own messengers down with it, with instructions to bring back an answer, but not to say anything, if questioned, as to his being in my employment.”

The next morning, the messenger started by coach for Kilkargan.  He returned four days later, bearing John O’Carroll’s answer.  It read as follows: 

Sir: 

I have received your audacious letter, and proclaim you to be an impostor, worthy of the severest punishment for attempting to personate a son of my late brother.  However, for the sake of my friendship for Mr. Kennedy, your father, I give you twenty-four hours to leave the country, before laying any information against you, both as an impostor and as a rebel who has served against the armies of Her Majesty.  I shall, however, at once apply for a writ ordering your arrest, which will be served upon you within twenty-four hours of your receipt of this communication.  I shall also have this woman, your pretended nurse, arrested for perjury and conspiracy.

Gerald took this letter to the counsellor.

“That is exactly what I expected,” he said, after reading it.  “It shows the man in his true colours.  We shall see what he says when he learns who are employed against him, and what protection you have obtained.  My opinion is that, before many hours have passed, you will receive a letter in a different strain.  I consider it by no means improbable that the lord chief justice will have written to him privately, warning him that you have received a full pardon, and are restored to all your rights, and that you are strongly supported by Lord Godolphin, who has written to him and the lord lieutenant in your favour; that you have also the protection of the Earl of Galway, an officer who possesses the confidence of Her Majesty; and that the Duke of Berwick, and many of the best-known Irish officers in the service of France, have all given their testimony,