'Well, yes; I stitched the lining only last month, with red silk, and that's how I remember the letters.'
'I know; and are you sure it was that hat he had on?'
'Certain sure—why, there's all the rest;' and she conned them over, as they hung on their pegs on the rack before them.
'Now, don't let the mistress be downhearted—keep her up, Moggy, do you mind. I told her the master was with Lord Castlemallard since yesterday evening, on business, and don't you say anything else; keep her quiet, do ye mind, and humour her.'
And away went Toole, at a swift pace, to the town again, and entered the barrack, and asked to see the adjutant, and then to look at the hat the corporal had fished up by 'Bloody Bridge;' and, by Jupiter! his heart gave a couple of great bounces, and he felt himself grow pale—they were the identical capitals, C N, and the clumsy red silk stitching in the lining.
Toole was off forthwith, and had a fellow dragging the river before three-quarters of an hour.
Dr. Walsingham, returning from an early ride to Island Bridge, saw this artist at work, with his ropes and great hooks, at the other side of the river; and being a man of enquiring mind, and never having witnessed the process before, he cried out to him, after some moments lost in conjecture—
'My good man, what are you fishing for?'
'A land-agent,' answered Isaac Walton.
'A land-agent?' repeated the rector, misdoubting his ears.