“That is serious, Larry.  You don’t think anyone in this house can have a suspicion of us?”

“Not they, yer honour.  They all think it’s just as you say; that the village was burned, and we have come to look for work in the city.  Besides, if it was anyone here, he wouldn’t have to take the trouble to track us back.”

“That’s true enough, Larry.  No; if there is a suspicion, it must be from some spy in the house of one of the gentlemen I have visited.  We know that the leading Catholics are all suspected, and some of the servants may have been bribed to report everything which takes place in the house.  We must be very careful; and let us arrange this, Larry, that if there is trouble and we get separated, we will neither of us come back to our lodging, but will meet at that burned-out village three miles along the western road.  If anything happens to me, go to the first house I went to, and see Mr. O’Brian, and tell him that I have been taken.  If there is anything to be done he will do it.  If not, make your way straight back to Limerick.  I have told you exactly what has been arranged with people I have seen, and you can tell my father, who will report to the general.  But whatever you do, don’t stop here with any idea of getting me out of their hands.  The most important thing is that they should know, at Limerick, exactly what has been arranged.  If you remain here, you would almost certainly be caught also, for, as the man who has followed us will be aware that we are together, a search will at once be made for you.  So mind, my orders are, that if you see I am in trouble you are at once to set out for Limerick.  If you think that I may manage to get away, you are also to leave at once, but are to wait for me, for twelve hours, at the village three miles out.  If I do not come by the end of that time, it will be that I have been taken, and you are to go straight on.”

It was on the evening when all the arrangements were finally settled, that a loud knocking was heard at the door of the house where eight of the principal persons in the affair were assembled.  One of them looked out of the window, and announced that the street was full of soldiers.  All leaped to their feet, and drew their swords.

“It is of no use to resist, gentlemen,” Walter said.  “Do you put bottles and glasses on the table, and sit down quietly.  I will try to escape.  If they find you alone, they can prove nothing against you, and if I get safe off, you also are safe.  Is there any way out on to the roof?  No doubt the house is watched behind.”

“There is a trapdoor,” the gentleman, in whose house they were, said, and led the way upstairs at full speed.  As he was unbolting the trap, Walter ran into a bedroom and seized an armful of blankets, then ran up the ladder to the trapdoor, and stepped out on to the roof.  The door was closed behind him, and he heard the bolts drawn, and then his host ran downstairs and told the frightened servants to open the doors, which had so far resisted the attack from without.  Headed by an officer, the soldiers rushed in.