"But what is this trick? Confound you, you're as mysterious as a chancery suit."
"I wish I was likely to last half as long," said Murphy.
"The trick!" said Dick. "Bad luck to you, tell me the trick, and don't keep me waiting, like a poor relation."
"You have two boats on the river?" said Murphy.
"Yes."
"Well, you must get into one with our victim: and I can get into the other with the salmon."
"But where's the salmon, Murphy?"
"In the house, for I sent one over this morning, a present to Mrs. Egan. You must keep away about thirty yards or so, when we get afloat, that our dear friend may not perceive the trick—and in proper time I will hook my dead salmon on one of my lines, drop him over the off-side of the boat, pass him round to the gun-wale within view of our intelligent castle customer, make a great outcry, swear I have a noble bite, haul up my fish with an enormous splash, and, affecting to kill him in the boat, hold up my salmon in triumph."
"It's a capital notion, Murphy, if he doesn't smoke the trick."
"He'll smoke the salmon sooner. Never mind, if I don't hoax him: I'll bet you what you like he's done."