“O’Donnel,” said he, addressing the Red Robber, “what description of disguises do these villains usually assume?  Do they often go about as beggarmen?”

“They may have changed their hand, sir, since I became a legal subject, but, before that, three-fourths of us—­of them—­the villains, I mane—­went about in the shape of beggars.”

“That’s important,” exclaimed the baronet.  “Steen, take half a dozen mounted men—­a cavalry party have arrived here a little while ago, and are waiting further orders—­I thought if Reilly had been secured it might have been necessary for them to escort him to Sligo.  Well, take half a dozen mounted I men, and, as you very properly suggested, proceed with all haste to farmer Graham’s, and see whether this mendicant is there or not; if he is there, take him into custody at all events, and if he is not, then it is clear he is a man for whom we ought to be on the lookout.”

“I should like to go with them, your honor,” said the Red Rapparee.

“O’Donnel,” said Sir Robert, “I have other business for you to-night.”

“Well, plaise your honor,” said O’Donnel, “as they’re goin’ in that direction, let them turn to the left after passin’ the little stranie that crosses the road, I mane on their way home; if they look sharp they’ll find a little boreen that—­but indeed they’ll scarcely make it out in the dark, for it’s a good way back in the fields—­I mane the cabin of widow Buckley.  If there’s one house more than another in the whole countryside where!  Reilly is likely to take shelter in, that’s it.  He gave her that cabin and a large garden free, and besides allows her a small yearly pension.  But remember, you can’t bring your horses wid you—­you must lave some of the men to take charge of them in the boreen till you come back.  I wish you’d let me go with them, sir.”

“I cannot, O’Donnel; I have other occupation for you to-night.”

Three or four of them declared that they knew the cottage right well, and could find it out without much difficulty.  “They had been there,” they said, “some six or eight months before upon a priest chase.”  The matter was so arranged, and the party set out upon their expedition.

It is unnecessary to say that these men had their journey for nothing; but at the same time one fact resulted from it, which I was, that the ragged mendicant they had met must have been some one well worth looking after.  The deuce of it was, however, that, owing to the darkness of the night, there was not one among them who could have known Fergus the next day if they had met him.  They knew, however, that O’Donnel, the Rapparee, was a good authority on the subject, and the discovery of the pretended mendicant’s imposture was a proof of it.  On this account, when they had reached the boreen alluded to, on their return from Graham’s, they came to the resolution of leaving their horses in charge, as had been suggested to them, and in silence, and with stealthy steps, pounce at once into the widow’s cabin.  Before they arrived there, however, we shall take the liberty of preceding them for a few minutes, and once more transport our readers to its bright but humble hearth.