he houses of those who are in sympathy with the
society."

"I deny it. I was not in Belfast that day. I was here in Donegore with
Aeneas Moylin."

"You were here the day before," said Moylin. "You left me that day
early. You might have been in Belfast."

"I was not," said Finlay.

Donald Ward produced the scrap of paper which Peg Macllrea had taken
from the dragoon.

"Is that your handwriting?" he asked.

James Finlay looked at it.

"No," he said.

"James Bigger, give me the last letter you had from Finlay. Now put the
lantern down on the floor."

He looked steadily at the two papers, and then said--

"In my opinion these two are written in the same hand."

He passed them to the man next him. They went from one to another, and
the lantern followed them on their round. Each man examined them, and
each nodded assent to Donald's judgment.

"Let me see them," said Finlay.

They were handed to him.

"I wrote neither of them," he said.

"Your name is signed to one," said Donald.

"I did not write it. I had hurt my hand on the day that note was
written. I employed another man to write for me. The writing is his, not
mine."

"Name the man you employed."

"Kelso, James Kelso."

"Kelso was flogged yesterday," said Donald, "and is in prison now. Do
you expect us to believe that he is an informer? Is flogging the wages
the Government pays to spies?"

"I tried to save Hope yesterday," said Finlay. "Neal Ward, you have
borne witness against me, tell the truth in my favour now."

"I believe," said Neal, "that he did his best to save Hope and me
yesterday. I believe that he wanted to save us."

He told his story, and he told of the conversation on the Cave Hill
afterwards. Again the flicker of hope crossed Finlay's face.

"You hear," he said. "Would I have done that if I had been a spy? Could
I not have handed them over to Major Barber if I had wished?"

"I shall give you credit for wishing to save Hope," said Donald. "Now I
shall pass on to examine the papers found on your person to-night."

Finlay protested eagerly.

"I beg that you do not examine the papers you have taken from me. They
are of a very private nature."

"I can believe," said Donald, "that they are of such a kind that you
would willingly keep them private."

"I protest against your reading them. You have no right to read them.
They concern others besides myself. I give you my word." Donald smiled
slightly. "I swear to you, I will t