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236
THE SNAKE'S PASS.

must manage it for me, for I think I should be alarmed to do so unless I got a lead; but it will come easy enough after the first go off. Remember, we both always thought of her as 'Norah!'"

We went down towards the brook and met with Andy, who had the car all ready for us.

"Begor yer 'an'rs," said he, "I thought yez was lost intirely, or that the fairies had carried yez off; both iv yez this time."—This with a sly look at me, followed by a portentous wink to Dick. "An' I'm thinkin' it's about time fur somethin' to ate. Begor! but me stummick is cryin' out that me throat is cut!"

"You're quite right, Andy, as to the fact," said Dick, "but you are a little antecedent."

"An' now what's that, surr? Begor! I niver was called that name afore. Shure, an' I always thry to be dacent—divvle a man but can tell ye that! Antidacent indeed! Well now! what nixt?"

"It means, Andy, that we are going to be carried off by the fairies, and to have some supper with them too; and that you are to take this half-crown, and go over to Mother Kelligan's, and get her to try to dissipate that unnatural suspicion of capital offence wreaked on your thoraic region. Here, catch! and see how soon you can be off!"

"Hurroo! Begor, yer 'an'r, it's the larned gintleman y' are! Musha! but ye ought to be a councillor intirely! Gee-up! ye ould corncrake!" and Andy was off at full speed.