"Joselyn has him in his power."

"Entirely so. A hint from him to the authorities would result in an
embargo on any further shipments to the rebels in Ireland and so
completely ruin the usefulness of the order of Champions. The fellow
seems to be a thorn deeply embedded in the side of Old Swallowtail, who
will suffer anything to promote the cause of Irish liberty."

"Ingua thinks her grandfather tried to kill Ned, at one time," remarked
the girl.

"It's a wonder, with his rabid temper, that he didn't do so," said
O'Gorman. "But perhaps he realized that if he was hanged for Joselyn's
murder his beloved Order would be without a head and in sorry straits.
Thousands of Irishmen are feeding the funds of the Champions, aside
from what Cragg himself dumps into the pot. So the old fellow is in a
responsible position and mustn't commit murder, however much he may
long to, because it would jeopardize the fortunes of his associates.
However, the end is not yet, and unless Joselyn acts square in his
future dealings he may yet meet with a tragic fate."

"I wonder what was in that package he took away with him the other
night?" mused Josie. "I was sure, at the time, it was counterfeit
money."

"It probably contained the monthly printed circular to the various
branches of the order. Jim Bennett prints them in that underground
cavern and Ned Joselyn sees they are distributed."

"Well," said Josie with a sigh, "you've pricked my bubble, Daddy, and
made me ashamed. With all my professed scorn of theories, and my
endeavors to avoid them, I walked straight into the theoretic mire and
stuck there."

O'Gorman pressed her arm affectionately.

"Never you mind, my dear," in a consoling tone; "you have learned a
lesson that will be of great value to you in your future work. I dare
not blame you, indeed, for I myself, on the evidence you sent me, came
rushing here on a wild-goose chase. One never knows what is on the
other side of a page till he turns it, and if we detectives didn't have
to turn so many pages, only to find them blank, we'd soon rid the
country of its malefactors. But here we are at the Kenton gateway. Go
to bed, Josie dear, and pleasant dreams to you."

"Will I see you again?" she asked.

"No; I'm off by the early train. But you must stay here and have your
visit out with Mary Louise. It won't hurt you to have a free mind for
awhile."

He kissed her tenderly and she went in.

CHAPTER XXVII
NAN'S TRIUMPH

T