behalf of the religious ideals of Papists. He
had an advantage over his kinsman beyond the latter's ken; since to him
the humor of the situation seemed more vital than the tragedy, a mistake
quite easy to youth. Arthur stated Ledwith's case beautifully, and asked
him to notify the British officials that the American Minister would
send his representative to watch the trial.

"Impossible," said Livingstone. "I am content with the ordinary course
for all these cases."

"We are not," replied Arthur as decisively, "and we call upon our
government to protect its citizens against the packed juries and other
injustices of these Irish trials."

"And what good would my interference do?" said Livingstone. Arthur
grinned.

"Your Excellency, such a notification would open the doors of the jail
to Ledwith to-morrow. There would be no trial."

"My instructions from the President are precise in this matter. We are
satisfied that American citizens will get as fair a trial as Englishmen
themselves. There will be no interference until I am satisfied that
things are not going properly."

"Can you tell me, then, how I am to satisfy you in Ledwith's case?" said
the young man good-naturedly.

"I don't think you or any one else can, Mr. Dillon. I know Ledwith, a
conspirator from his youth. He is found in Ireland in a time of
insurrection. That's quite enough."

"You forget that I have given you my word he was not concerned with the
insurrection, and did not know it was so imminent; that he went to
Ireland with his daughter on a business matter."

"All which can be shown at the trial, and will secure his acquittal."

"Neither I nor his daughter will ever be called as witnesses. Instead, a
pack of ready informers will swear to anything necessary to hurry him
off to life imprisonment."

"That is your opinion."

"Do you know who sent me here, your Excellency, with the request for
your aid?"

Livingstone stared his interrogation.

"An English officer with whom you are acquainted, friendly to Ledwith
for some one else's sake. In plain words, he gave me to understand that
there is no hope for Ledwith unless you interfere. If he goes to trial,
he hangs or goes to Botany Bay."

"You are pessimistic," mocked Livingstone. "It is the fault of the Irish
that they have no faith in any government, because they cannot establish
one of their own."

"Outside of New York," corrected Arthur, with delightful malice.

"Amendment accepted."