Just then, a device struck me, which I thought might extricate the poor fellow; so, having received permission, I went across, and whispered it to him.
'The heavens smile on you,' cried he, and then addressed his accuser: 'If I can prove to you that I have not broken our agreement about the money, will you promise not to prosecute me for this assault?'
'With all my heart,' answered he; 'for if you have not broken our agreement, you must have the money still, which is all I want.'
'And will your worship,' said Sullivan, 'permit this compromise, and stand umpire between us?'
'I have not the least objection,' answered the magistrate; 'for I would rather be the means of your fulfilling an agreement, than of your suffering a punishment; and would rather recompense your accuser with money than with revenge.'
'Well then,' said Jerry to his accuser; 'was not our agreement, that I should return the money to yourself and your partner, whenever you came together to me, and asked for it?'
'Certainly,' said the man.
'And did you both ever come together to me, and ask for it?'
'Never,' said the man.
'Then I have not broken our agreement,' cried Sullivan.