n eye of
appreciation; he had seen the clouds of poverty and anxiety closing
in. He had known of old Miles Calhoun's financial difficulties. He had
observed Dyck's wayside loitering with revolutionists, and he had taken
it with too much seriousness. He knew the condition of Dyck's purse.

He was not prepared for Dyck's indignant outburst.

"I tell you this, Erris Boyne, there's none has ever tried me as you
have done! What do you think I am--a thing of the dirty street-corner,
something to be swept up and cast into the furnace of treason? Look you,
after to-day you and I will never break bread or drink wine together.
No--by Heaven, no! I don't know whether you've told me the truth or not,
but I think you have. There's this to say--I shall go from this place
to Dublin Castle, and shall tell them there--without mentioning your
name--what you've told about the French raid. Now, by God, you're a
traitor! You oughtn't to live, and if you'll send your seconds to me
I'll try and do with you as I did with Leonard Mallow. Only mark me,
Erris Boyne, I'll put my sword into your heart. You understand--into
your filthy heart!"

At that moment the door of the room opened, and a face looked in for
an instant-the face of old Swinton, the landlord of the Harp and Crown.
Suddenly Boyne's look changed. He burst into a laugh, and brought his
fists down on the table between them with a bang.

"By Joseph and by Mary, but you're a patriot, Calhoun! I was trying to
test you. I was searching to find the innermost soul of you. The French
fleet, my commission in the French army, and my story about the landlord
are all bosh. If I meant what I told you, do you think I'd have been so
mad as to tell you so much, damn it? Have you no sense, man? I wanted to
find out exactly how you stood-faithful or unfaithful to the crown--and
I've found out. Sit down, sit down, Calhoun, dear lad. Take your hand
off your sword. Remember, these are terrible days. Everything I said
about Ireland is true. What I said about France is false. Sit down, man,
and if you're going to join the king's army--as I hope and trust you
will--then here's something to help you face the time between." He threw
on the table a packet of notes. "They're good and healthy, and will buy
you what you need. There's not much. There's only a hundred pounds, but
I give it to you with all my heart, and you can pay it back when the
king's money comes to you, or when you marry a rich woman."

He