with hasty strides.

"Not so, sir," said Cashel, as Hoare moved towards the door, against
which Roland now placing a chair, sat down. "Out of this room you shall
not stir, till I hear a distinct and clear account of the circumstances
by which I find you in possession of this paper."

"You have no right, sir, to demand such an answer."

"Possibly not, legally speaking," said Cashel, whose voice became calmer
and deeper as his passion increased. "You are more conversant with law
than I am, and so I take it that your opinion is correct. But I have
the right which a good conscience and strong will beget, and I tell you
again, you 'll not leave this room before you satisfy me, or you 'll not
leave it living."

"I call you to witness, Dr. Tiernay," said Hoare, whose accents
trembled with fear and anger together, "that this is a case of false
imprisonment,--that a threat against my life has been uttered, if I do
not surrender the possession of certain papers."

"Nothing of the kind," broke in Tiernay; "there is no thought of taking
anything from you by force. Mr. Roland Cashel--doubtless for good
reasons of his own--has asked you a question, which you, demurring to
answer, he tells you that you shall not leave the room till you do."

"And do you fancy, sir, that such conduct is legal?" cried Hoare.

"I cannot say," rejoined Tiernay; "but that it is far more mild and
merciful than I could have expected under the circumstances, I am
perfectly ready to aver."

"May I read the paper out?" said Hoare, with a malicious scowl at
Cashel.

"There is no need that you should, sir," said Roland; "its contents are
known to me, whom alone they concern."

"You can, I opine, have no objection that your friend, Dr. Tiernay,
should hear them?"

"I repeat, sir, that with the contents of that paper neither you nor any
one else has any concern; they relate to me, and to me alone."

"Then I must labor under some misapprehension," said Hoare, affectedly;
"I had fancied there was another person at least equally interested."

"Will you dare, sir!" said Roland; and in the thick guttural utterance
there was that which made the other tremble with fear.

"If the matter be one, then," said he, rallying into his former
assurance, "that you deem best kept secret, it would be perhaps a
judicious preliminary to any conversation on the subject, that Dr.
Tiernay should withdraw."

"I only await Mr. Cashel's pleasure," said Tiernay, moving towar