worse off by joining them? I'm
told they are ready to welcome any man of position and landed interest
on their side. It might be an opportunity of doing some service to my
fellow countrymen. Besides, when a daughter's liberty is at stake, one
does not stand at sacrifice. They hate me now because I have been
instrumental in thwarting them. By winning me over they would be rid of
an obstacle; and all the favour I have shown them in the past in the
matter of the arms, and allowing some of them to slip through the
fingers of the law, would stand to my credit. Why, Gallagher," added
he, growing quite excited at the vision, "in the new Irish Government I
should be a man of mark; and my fortune, instead of being confiscated,
would be my own, and at the service of my friends. Why, you and Tim--"

"Are you so sure that fortune is your own now?" said I, losing my self-
restraint at last.

He turned a little whiter as he glared round at me.

"You mean that improbable story of the changeling at Kilgorman," said
he, with a forced laugh. "As pure moonshine as ever was, and beyond all
proof even if it wasn't."

"You forget Biddy McQuilkin has been found."

"Did she say anything?" he demanded.

"She did, on her oath."

"And, pray, what was her version of this wonderful story?"

"She told me all I needed to know--that is, which of us two was Terence
Gorman's son."

"And which is, pray?"

"That is my secret. Time will show."

"What!" exclaimed he, "some new conspiracy to rob me? And one of the
conspirators a man who presumes to my daughter's hand! Come, Gallagher,
let you and me understand each other. I defy you, or Biddy, or any one,
to make good your story. But if you are frank with me, you won't find
me unreasonable. Let me see the documents."

"In good time, sir," said I. "Now, as to the smugglers."

And we proceeded to talk about the object of our cruise. I found he had
little news to give me, or else he chose to give little, and after a
while I rose to go. He pressed me to stay the night, urging his
solitude; but I had no desire to prolong the interview.

"We shall meet again," said I; "and you may rely on hearing from me if I
have any news of your daughter."

We were out on the doorstep by this time. It was a beautiful, fresh
evening, with a half-moon hanging above the opposite hills and sending a
broad track of shimmering light across the lough.

"It's a tempting night," said he. "I've not t