's not worth your while," she replied, "it was a mere thought that
came into my head: but you and Mogue Moylan never had a dispute, sir?"

"Why, what can put such a notion into your head, my good woman?
Certainly not. Mogue and I have been always on the best of terms."

She paused again for some minutes, after which, she said, in a voice not
audible.

"There's something in the wind for all that.

"Sir." she proceeded, "you'll think me odd, but will you let me ax if
you wor ever threatened or put on your guard, of if you know of any
enemy you have that would wish to injure you?"

M'Carthy now started, and, looking at her with a gaze of equal curiosity
and astonishment, replied, "Your language, my good woman, is beyond
doubt very strange--why do you ask me these questions?"

"Answer me first, if you plaise," she replied.

"I have certainly been put on my guard," he returned, "and informed
that I ought to be cautious, for that I had an enemy and that danger was
before me."

"When, and in what way did this happen?"

"I shall make no further communication on the subject," he replied,
"until you speak more plainly."

"Then," she proceeded, "I'm afeard there's danger over you this night,
if God hasn't said it."

"Not, I trust, while I am under the protection of your husband and Mogue
Moylan."

She shook her head. "If you haven't something better to depend upon,
I wouldn't think myself overly safe; but you didn't answer the last
question I axed you. How wor you warned, and who warned you?"

He then gave her a brief account of the rencounter he had with the
Whiteboys, and alluded to the unknown but friendly individual who had
put him on his guard.

"I knew it," she exclaimed, "I knew it; I couldn't mistake the look that
passed between them. Now, in God's name," she said, "if you're able to
drag a limb afther you at all, start out o' this and save yourself, and,
let what will happen, I entreat, for the love of God, that you won't
mention my name."

This he faithfully promised; "But," replied he to her warning, "I really
am not able to escape, and I cannot think that your husband would injure
a man who never offended him."

"But that's not the way they do sich things; it's not the man you
offended that will injure you, but some blackguard stranger that he gets
to do it for him, and that you'll know nothing about. In God's name, I
say, be off out o' this. Even as a stranger you can hardly be safe, and
if you wi