d of any participation in the
treasonable doings of the period. Indeed, he laid great stress on the
fact that my acquaintance with Charles de Meudon had withdrawn me from
all relations with the insurgent party, between whom and the French
allies feelings of open dislike and distrust existed. Of the scene at
the barrack his account varied in nothing from that I had already given;
nor was all the ingenuity of a long and intricate cross-examination able
to shake his testimony in the most minute particular.

"Of course, then, you know Sir Montague Crofts? It is quite clear that
you cannot mistake a person with whom you had a struggle such as you
speak of."

"Faix, I'd know his skin upon a bush," said Darby, "av he was like what
I remember him; but sure he may be changed since that. They tell me
I'm looking ould myself; and no wonder. Hunting kangaroos wears the
constitution terribly."

"Look around the court, now, and say if he be here."

Darby rose from his seat, and shading his eyes with his hand, took
a deliberate survey of the court. Though well knowing, from past
experience, in what part of the assembly the person he sought would
probably be, he seized the occasion to scrutinize the features of the
various persons, whom under no other pretence could he have examined.

"It's not on the bench, sir, you need look for him," said the lawyer,
as M'Keown remained for a considerable time with his eyes bent in that
direction.

"Bedad there's no knowing," rejoined Darby, doubtfully; "av he was
dressed up that way, I wouldn't know him from an old ram."

He turned round as he said this, and gazed steadfastly towards the bar.
It was an anxious moment for me: should Darby make any mistake in the
identity of Crofts, his whole testimony would be so weakened in the
opinion of the jury as to be nearly valueless. I watched his eyes,
therefore, as they ranged over the crowded mass, with a palpitating
heart; and when at last his glance settled on a far part of the court,
very distant from that occupied by Crofts, I grew almost sick with
apprehension lest he should mistake another for him.

"Well, sir," said the lawyer; "do you see him now?"

"Arrah, it's humbugging me yez are," said Darby, roughly, while he threw
himself down into his chair in apparent ill temper.

A loud burst of laughter broke from the bar at this sudden ebullition of
passion, so admirably feigned that none suspected its reality; and while
the sounds of mirth