spalpeen, or Oi'll tramp the dawg's loife out o' ye
with the hale o' moy boot!"

"Open still further the flap of the tent," I commanded Michael. Then,
speaking to the prostrate form upon the ground, I said:--

"Arise sirrah, and tell us truthfully what is thy name, and what thy
business here at this unseemly hour."

He slowly rose. Then, as Michael opened wider the tent door, the
bright moon's rays fell on the shining blade of a dagger lying at my
feet.

"What means this dagger, sirrah?" and I stooped to pick it up.

"Hold! Beware there, Michael!" cried Harleston, as he dashed after the
stranger, which had taken advantage of my stooping, to attempt to make
good his escape.

Michael, who was outside of the tent, making fast the flap, sprang
after the fugitive with the speed of a horse. Almost he had the knave
by the collar when, as fortune would have it, his foot caught upon one
of the cords which served in securing the tent from being blown to the
ground, and fell headlong upon his face, with as great a noise as that
made by a falling tree. Harleston, at the same instant, dashed at full
speed from the tent and, tripping on the fallen Michael, fell with his
full weight upon my squire, thereby adding nothing to that angry
person's comfort.

"Uh!" said Michael, "this is that damned raven's work. 'Tis useless;
the varmint must escape; all Hill is with him."

I heard no more; but, leaving Harleston and Michael to regain their
feet, I hastened in pursuit of the owner of the dagger. He was at that
moment disappearing among the scores of tents with which this part of
the field was filled. I pursued him until I realized how impossible it
was to here find anyone desirous of escaping capture, and then giving
up the attempt I returned to my own tent.

Michael was still swearing, and cursing the raven for the luck that it
had brought unto us.

"Hill! Whoy didn't Oi brake the varmint's skull, instid o' his arm?
Thin the charm had bin browken. Now Gawd knows what'll be the nixt to
curse us."

"Come, Michael," said Frederick, "no one is to blame for his escape.
Thou didst do right nobly in the saving of our lives from being taken
by the dagger of an assassin."

"But tell us," said I, "how thou didst learn of his presence here, and
what he was doing when thou didst attack him."

"Will, sor, it was loike this:--Oi was awakened by some wan astippin'
ouver moy chist, as though he feared to disturb me. At first,