window, and with his face pressed against the
iron bars, he was watching, with interest, the movement in the street
below, where a considerable number of people went past, their eyes
directed upwards, to the front of the building, but all view of which
was impossible to him. Hemsworth stood and looked at him for some
minutes without speaking--he was as if calculating the very thoughts of
the other's brain--then advancing gently, he laid his hand on Lawler's
shoulder, as he said--

"Ay, Lanty, that's the reward they get. Two of them are to be turned off
to-morrow."

"Two of whom, sir?" asked Lanty, as, starting at the voice, his face
became the colour of death.

"I thought you knew!" said he, affecting astonishment; "they are the
approvers against Bond. The Government has no use for the rascals now,
and it saves expense to hang them; and so, they tried them for a murder
at Sallins, in March last. I hear they were not there; but no matter,
they've enough to answer for, without that."

"But, sure, Mr. Hemsworth, they'll never treat their own friends that
way?"

"Wouldn't they, Lanty! You don't know them as well as I do. They keep
little faith with scoundrels, and more fools the scoundrels for being
caught; but I mustn't lose time; it was that very thing brought me here.
I heard this evening the scrape you were in."

"Me, in a scrape!" exclaimed Lanty, his eyes growing wider with terror.

"To be sure it is, and a devilish ugly scrape, too, my friend: havn't
you given information to the Attorney-general against the young
O'Donoghue?"

Lanty nodded, and he went on--

"Havn't you confessed the whole of the plot, and told them everything?"

"Very nearly, faix!" said Lanty, dropping his head, and sighing.

"And what do you expect to gain by that, Master Lanty? Is it by showing
that you are of no use to them--that you've nothing more left in
you--that you hope for a reward. Is it for the sake of your family and
friends, or on account of your remarkable honesty, they're so fond of
you?" Then checking this sneering tone, he added, in a slow and solemn
voice, "Are you a fool, man?--or don't you see what you're bringing
yourseif to? What will be your claim when the trial of the young
O'Donoghue is over? The crown lawyers will have you up in the
witness-box till they've drained you dry. Devil a drop they'll leave in
you; and when they say 'Go down,' take my word for it, it's down you'll
go in earnest; and all the world w