ks to that catch-word of the rogue," muttered Bernard, "I am
like to have easy work to-night. Hark ye, Mr. Berkenhead," he added,
aloud, "I think it is likely that the Governor may wish to ask you a
question or two touching this matter of which we have been speaking. In
the meantime here is something which may help you to get along with
these soldiers," and he placed a sovereign in the fellow's hand.

"Thank your honour," said Berkenhead, humbly, "and seeing its not in the
way of bribe, I suppose I may take it."

"Oh, no bribe," replied Bernard, smiling, "but mark me, tell a good
story. The stronger your evidence the safer is your head."

Bernard returned, as we have seen, to the Governor, for the further
development of his diabolical designs, and in a short time Berkenhead,
under a guard of soldiers, was conducted to his quarters for the night,
in a store-house which stood in the yard some distance from the house.

As the house to which the renegade insurgent was consigned was deemed
sufficiently secure, and the soldiers wearied with a long march, were
again to proceed on their journey on the morrow, it was not considered
necessary to place a guard before the door of this temporary cell--the
precaution, however, being taken to appoint a sentry at each side of the
mansion-house, and at the door of the apartment in which the unhappy
Hansford was confined.

FOOTNOTES:

[43] An old English expression for a rough, honest fellow.

[44] A bludgeon.

[45] There may be danger in the design.

CHAPTER XXX.

"Ha! sure he sleeps--all's dark within save what
A lamp, that feebly lifts a sickly flame,
By fits reveals. His face seems turned to favour
The attempt. I'll steal and do it unperceived."
_Mourning Bride._

All were wrapt in silence and in slumber, save the weary sentinels, who
paced drowsily up and down before the door of the house, humming in a
low tone the popular Lillibullero, or silently communing with their
brother sentry in the sky. The family, providing for the fatigues of the
following day, had early retired to rest, and even Virginia, worn down
by excitement and agitation, having been assured by her father of the
certain safety of Hansford, had yielded to the restoring influences of
sleep. How little did the artless girl, or her unsuspicious father,
suppose that beneath their roof they had been cherishing a demon, who,
by his wily machina