.

"Run your hand down his body, Murrough," ordered the Dark Master
cynically.

Red Murrough leaned over Brian, and the latter opened his eyes without
waiting for the rough command to be obeyed. Instantly the Scots broke
into a chorus of recognition as Brian's gaze fell on them. Vere looked
at him with an admiring laugh.

"Sink me, but the man has eyes! Well, so much the better for the ladies,
eh? Now that this is over, give the lad a rouse and send him back to his
cell."

He waved the Scots to begone, and rose cup in hand. Smiling evilly, the
Dark Master joined him in the toast to Brian, and a yell of delight
broke from the crowd as they caught the jest and joined in. O'Donnell
was just motioning Murrough to have Brian taken away, when there came a
sudden interruption, as a man hastened up the hall. It was one of Vere's
pikemen.

"There is a party of four horsemen just outside our camp, colonel. One
of them bade us get safe-conduct for him from O'Donnell Dubh, upon his
honor."

"Eh?" the Dark Master snarled suddenly. "What was his name, fool?"

"Cathbarr of the Ax, lord."

A thrill shot through Brian, and he tried feebly to sit up. The Dark
Master flashed him a glance. The hall had fallen silent.

"His business?"

"He bears word from one called the Bird Daughter, he said."

While the royalists stared, wondering what all this boded, O'Donnell bit
his lips in thought. Finally he nodded.

"Let the man enter, and tell him that he has my honor for his
safe-conduct."

Vere nodded, and the pikeman departed. Instantly the hall broke into
uproar, but leaving the table, the Dark Master crossed swiftly to
Brian, and bent over him.

"Either swear to keep silence, or I have you gagged."

"I promise," mumbled Brian as if he were very weak. The Dark Master
ordered him carried behind one of the tables close by, and a cloak flung
over him. When it had been done, Brian found that he could see without
being seen, which was the intent of O'Donnell.

Meanwhile the Dark Master was telling Vere and the other officers of
Cathbarr, it seemed, and Vere hastily collected his wine-stricken
senses.

"Nuala O'Malley, eh?" he exclaimed when the Dark Master had finished.
"She is the one who has held Gorumna Castle and would make no treaty
with us, though she has more than once sent us powder, I understand."

"I will talk with you later concerning her," returned O'Donnell. "She is
allied with Parliament, they say, and it might