The simplicity of the speaker dissipated his apprehensions, and his
curiosity was excited.
"You know him, do you?" continued he.
"Well, no--I can't say I do."
"But you have business with him?"
"Not particularly with him,--the Lord forbid!" replied the stranger,
devoutly.
"Devil a bit with him, at all," added his companion.
"Since no one else resides under the same roof with him, may I ask the
reason of your visit there, if I am not too bold?" said Dalhousie.
"Sure, it's only to see the counthry, about here, we've come," replied
the Irish stranger.
"No, Partrick, you know that is not the truth. Never tell a lie for
anything, Partrick. Our business an't with him, but it consarns him. We
don't care about mentioning it to everybody."
"I do not mean to be impertinent," said Dalhousie; "but perhaps I may be
able to serve you. The man you seek is a villain!"
"Good gracious!" exclaimed Uncle Nathan,--for we presume it is
unnecessary to _tell_ the reader that it was he,--"I know _that_."
"Indeed, then you have some knowledge of him?"
"Sartain! but do you know a minister in these parts by the name of
Faxon?"
"I do; he lives close by.
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