“And who recommended you to Mr. Arthur?”
“His brother-in-law, sir, one Frank Finnerty, in the mountains above; that is, they're both marrid upon the two shisthers, plaise your honor.”
“And what caused you to leave your native place?”
“Why, sir, my father houlds a bit o' land; he owed some tithe, sir, and—”
“Would not pay it; they consequently took proceedings—you resisted the execution of the law, and then you had to run for it.”
“Well, not exactly, sir.”
“How was it, then?”
“Why, sir, we paid the tithes; an' whin this was discovered, I, at any rate, had to run for it. The people, your honor, found out that it was I that ped them, an' I was glad, of coorse, to fly for my life. I'd thank you, sir, to keep what I tould you to yourself, for even if it was known in this neighborhood that I ped them, I wouldn't be safe.”
“You don't know Hourigan, then?”
“How could I, sir, and me a sthranger?”