en noiselessly glided up to
where he lay.

"I have come to look for you, Dermot," she whispered. "Have you any
message to send to friends, or would you have me set you free? The
message I might take, but if I were to try and set you free, I might be
made prisoner myself."

"I will send a message; that will be the safest plan," said Dermot.
"But how did you find me out?"

She told him briefly.

"Stay, I can take a leaf from one of my books," he observed. "I will
write it, it will be safer, and you will remember to deliver it,
Kathleen, if you wish to do me and others real service."

"Oh yes, Dermot, write, you may trust me; it is better than putting it
into my poor mind, though I can remember if it is not overcharged," she
answered with a sigh. "But be quick, or some of these people will be
suspecting us."

Dermot sat up. He had fortunately a pencil in his pocket, and taking a
leaf from one of his books, he wrote a few lines, addressed to the Earl,
telling him of the intention of the rebels to attack his castle, and
also of their purpose of getting the frigate out of the way.

The note may not have been well written or very well expressed, but it
was clear and to the purpose. After signing his name he added, "Oh,
trust me, my lord, I would come myself but I am a prisoner, and I pray
heaven that this may reach you in time to be of service."

Kathleen placed the note in her bosom, hoping that she had not been
observed.

"Now hasten away, Kathleen," whispered Dermot. "You can do as much good
as I could have done had I been free, and providing those in the castle
are preserved I care not what happens."

Kathleen returned to her former seat and began chanting one of the airs
she was generally heard singing, and then, once more gliding down the
centre of the cave, she took her departure unquestioned by any of the
rebels. Again in the open air she quickly descended the mountain, dark
as it was, and in spite of the roughness of the way, she hastened
forward at a rapid speed towards Kilfinnan Castle. All was silent as
she approached the gates. In vain she walked round and round, she could
find no means of making herself heard. The inmates, unsuspicious of
danger, were all at rest. She looked down into the bay. The frigate
was not there. "All my labours will be of no avail," she thought to
herself, "if I cannot let the good lord know what is threatened."

She had walked some way under the castle walls,