m. I don't know what else we can do. In the
morning I will ride over to the castle and consult with the Earl. He
should be informed that a rising of some sort is on foot through the
country, though I do not suppose it is of much consequence."

Kathleen was perfectly ready to undertake the release of Dermot if she
could accomplish it, and she promised at all events to enter the cavern
and to communicate with him.

"He is a wise lad, and it will be a wise thing to do as he bids me," she
observed.

"But you must be weary, Kathleen," said Miss O'Reilly; "you will want
some refreshment before you set out again to-night."

"No, no, when the mind's at work the body requires no food," said the
mad girl, and she burst forth in a wild song which showed the excitement
under which she was labouring.

CHAPTER FIVE.

Without waiting for further directions, away went the mad girl over
moorland and glen at a speed which, considering the darkness, scarcely a
wild deer could have rivalled, and before long she stood at the entrance
of the cavern. She waited for some time, in the hopes that the inmates
would go to sleep, and that she could more easily find an entrance.
Listening, she heard voices within, and that of Father O'Rourke above
all the rest.

"Where the priest is, there there's mischief," she said to herself. "If
he's going to stay there's little I shall be able to do."

She had not waited long, however, concealed behind a rock, when she saw
Father O'Rourke issue forth and take his way down the hill. She waited
some time longer, then quietly entered the cavern, gliding past the
table and up to its further end. The men, who were still awake, gazed
at her with astonishment, wondering what had brought her there, but none
ventured to speak to her. She was held in a sort of superstitious
reverence by the ignorant peasantry; and seeing her fearlessly enter,
they fancied that she had authority for coming among them. No one
suspected, indeed, that she would not prove faithful to their cause, had
she discovered their intention. Silently she passed up the cavern and
sat herself down on a chest at the further end, where, concealed by the
darkness, she yet could look forth on the objects lighted by the lamp,
and make her observations.

She had not been there long before she discovered Dermot resting on his
elbow on the bunk where he had been placed. She watched till those
around her appeared to be asleep, and she th