ved to break open my father's chest to get cash out
of it, it is not likely that I would call in the aid of such a man
as Bat Hogan. As a proof that I had nothing to do with the robbery in
question, I can satisfy you that my mother, not many days after the
occurrence of it, was obliged to get her car and drive some three or
four miles' distance to borrow a hundred pounds for me from a friend of
hers, upon her own responsibility, which, had I committed the outrage in
question, I would not have required at all."

Old Burke's face would, at this period of the proceedings, have extorted
compassion from any heart. Sorrow, distress, agony of spirit, and shame,
were all so legible in his pale features--that those who were present
kept their eyes averted, from respect to the man, and from sympathy with
his sufferings.

At length he himself came forward, and, after wiping away a few bitter
tears from his cheeks, he said--"Gentlemen, I care little about the
money I lost, nor about who took it--let it go--as for me, I won't miss
it; but there is one thing that cuts me to the heart--I'm spakin' about
the misfortune that was brought, or near bein' brought, upon this honest
an' generous-hearted young man, Bryan M'Mahon, through manes of a black
plot that was got up against him--I'm spakin' of the Still that was
found on his farm of Ahadarra. That, if my son had act or part in it, is
a thousand times worse than the other; as for the takin' of the money,
I don't care about it, as I said--nor I won't prosecute any one for it;
but I must have my mind satisfied about the other affair."

It is not our intention to dwell at any length upon the clear proofs of
his treachery and deceit, which were established against him by Harry
Clinton, who produced the anonymous letter to his uncle--brought home to
him as it was by his own evidence and that of Nanny Peety.

"There is, however," said Vanston, "another circumstance affecting the
reputation and honesty of Mr. Bryan M'Mahon, which in your presence,
Mr. M'Gowan, I am anxious to set at rest. I have already contradicted it
with indignation wherever I have heard it, and I am the more anxious
to do so, now, whilst M'Mahon and Burke are present, and because I have
been given to understand that you denounced him--M'Mahon--with such
hostility from the altar, as almost occasioned him to be put to death in
the house of God."

"You are undher a mistake there, Major Vanston, with great respect,"
repl