e. But if you are authorized to
arrest me, I here surrender myself at once."

By this time, several persons of the coffee-room had approached the
table, and among the rest the gentleman who so politely made way for me
in the crowd to reach the door.

"What is it, Roche?" said he, addressing the man at the table; "a
warrant?"

"Yes, sir; for this gentleman here. But we can take bail, if he has it."

"I have told you already that I am a stranger, and know no one here."

The gentleman threw his eyes over the warrant, and then looking me
steadily in the face, muttered in a whisper to the officer, "Why, he
must have been a boy, a mere child, at the time."

"Very true, sir; but the major says it must be done. Maybe you'd bail
him yourself."

These words were added in a tone of half irony, as the fellow gave a sly
look beneath his eyelashes.

"I tell you, again," said I, impatient at the whole scene, "I am quite
ready to accompany you."

"Is this your name, sir?" said the strange gentleman, addressing me, as
he pointed to the warrant.

"Yes," interposed the officer, "there's no doubt about that; he gave it
himself."

"Come, come, then, Roche," said he, cajolingly; "these are not times
for undue strictness. Let the gentleman remain where he is to-night,
and to-morrow he will attend you. You can remain here, if you like, with
him."

"If you say so, I suppose we may do it," replied the officer, as he
folded up the paper, and arose from the table.

"Yes, yes; that's the proper course. And now," said he, addressing me,
"will you permit me to join you while I finish this bottle of claret?"

I could have no objection to so pleasant a proposal; and thus, for the
time at least, ended this disagreeable affair.

CHAPTER XXXV. AN UNFORSEEN EVIL

"I perceive, sir," said the stranger, seating himself at my table, "they
are desirous to restore an antiquated custom in regard to you. I thought
the day of indemnities was past and gone forever."

"I am ignorant to what you allude."

"The authorities would make you out an emissary of France, sir,--as if
France had not enough on her hands already, without embroiling herself
in a quarrel from which no benefit could accrue; not to speak of the
little likelihood that any one on such an errand would take up his
abode, as you have, in the most public hotel of Dublin."

"I have no apprehensions as to any charges they may bring against me.
I am conscious of no crime, saving h