“Some of these hillsiders and fenians are a bit too clever if you ask me,” said Mr. Henchy. “Do you know what my private and candid opinion is about some of those little jokers? I believe half of them are in the pay of the Castle.”

“There’s no knowing,” said the old man.

“O, but I know it for a fact,” said Mr. Henchy. “They’re Castle hacks.⁠ ⁠… I don’t say Hynes.⁠ ⁠… No, damn it, I think he’s a stroke above that.⁠ ⁠… But there’s a certain little nobleman with a cock-eye⁠—you know the patriot I’m alluding to?”

Mr. O’Connor nodded.

“There’s a lineal descendant of Major Sirr for you if you like! O, the heart’s blood of a patriot! That’s a fellow now that’d sell his country for fourpence⁠—ay⁠—and go down on his bended knees and thank the Almighty Christ he had a country to sell.”