rheumatism he had ever known, nor did he get any ease until
the grey morning wearied his lady into a reluctant slumber.

CHAPTER VI

THE Thin Woman of Inis Magrath slept very late that morning, but when
she did awaken her impatience was so urgent that she could scarcely
delay to eat her breakfast. Immediately after she had eaten she put on
her bonnet and shawl and went through the pine wood in the direction of
Gort na Cloca Mora. In a short time she reached the rocky field, and,
walking over to the tree in the southeast corner, she picked up a small
stone and hammered loudly against the trunk of the tree. She hammered
in a peculiar fashion, giving two knocks and then three knocks, and then
one knock. A voice came up from the hole.

"Who is that, please?" said the voice.

"Ban na Droid of Inis Magrath, and well you know it," was her reply.

"I am coming up, Noble Woman," said the voice, and in another moment the
Leprecaun leaped out of the hole.

"Where are Seumas and Brigid Beg?" said the Thin Woman sternly.

"How would I know where they are?" replied the Leprecaun. "Wouldn't they
be at home now?"

"If they were at home I wouldn't have come here looking for them," was
her reply. "It is my belief that you have them."

"Search me," said the Leprecaun, opening his waistcoat.

"They are down there in your little house," said the Thin Woman angrily,
"and the sooner you let them up the better it will be for yourself and
your five brothers."

"Noble Woman," said the Leprecaun, "you can go down yourself into our
little house and look. I can't say fairer than that."

"I wouldn't fit down there," said she. "I'm too big."

"You know the way for making yourself little," replied the Leprecaun.

"But I mightn't be able to make myself big again," said the Thin Woman,
"and then you and your dirty brothers would have it all your own way. If
you don't let the children up," she continued, "I'll raise the Shee of
Croghan Conghaile against you. You know what happened to the Cluricauns
of Oilean na Glas when they stole the Queen's baby--It will be a worse
thing than that for you. If the children are not back in my house before
moonrise this night, I'll go round to my people. Just tell that to your
five ugly brothers. Health with you," she added, and strode away.

"Health with yourself, Noble Woman," said the Leprecaun, and he stood on
one leg until she was out of sight and then he slid down into the hole
again.

When t