ters for all I care," here he gave a wince of
relief. "I want to know what yonder brig carried off, not what she left
ashore."

"Sure, I thought your honour was from the police," said the man with a
leer.

"Tell me," said I, "who went off in the ship's boat early this morning."

"Three just--a man and two females."

"Did you know any of them?"

"Maybe I did, maybe no. One of the ladies was maid to Mistress Shannon,
away at Malin."

"And the man?"

"He's the boy that's courting that same maid, and comes from Knockowen."

"And the other lady?"

"I never saw her before; but I'm thinking she was a rale lady."

"Who rowed them out to the ship?"

"Some of the crew, by the lingo they talked."

"Did they leave the horses?"

"They did. It was me took them and turned them back over the hill.
They'll find their ways home."

"What is the ship's name?"

"That I can't say, except that she was Dutch."

"How long had she been lying off here?"

"Since yesterday morning just."

"What was her cargo?"

"Sure, your honour said that was no matter at all."

"Was it Dutch goods?"

"It was; and if you'll wait here I'll fetch a drop of it to you," said
he nervously.

"Stay where you are," said I. "Tell me, who is there can say what the
ship's name is and where bound?"

"No one, unless it's Hugh Henry at the inn below."

"Did the young lady say anything as they took her on the boat?"

"Sure, she asked to see the captain, and to know when they were to reach
Dublin, and seemed to mislike the voyage altogether. But I heard Martin
say it was her father's orders, and that he would be in Dublin to meet
her."

This was all the news I could gather, but it was enough to confirm my
worst suspicions. Leaving the old man still in doubt as to the motive
for my questions, I returned as rapidly as I could to Malin, and
presented myself at the inn.

"Sure, I thought you were away," said the host, who came down half-
dressed to admit me.

"I want to know something about the Dutch ship that was in here
overnight," said I. "Not," I added, as I noticed the conscious fall of
his face, "that I care what she carried. No doubt she was a smuggler,
and that you and she had your business together--"

"'Deed, sir," he began, "may the--"

"Whisht!" said I, "that will do later. Just now I must know her name,
and whither bound. The young lady at the Hall has been decoyed away in
her, and must be found."

His amazement convi