ell where is Kevin
Street?"

"No. 39?" said the man, after looking at him steadily for a moment.

Darby stroked down one side of his face with his hand slowly; a gesture
immediately imitated by the other man.

"What do you know?" said Darby.

"I know 'U,'" replied the man.

"And what more?"

"I know 'N'"

"That 'ill do," said Darby, shaking hands with him cordially. "Now, tell
me the way, for I have no time to spare."

"Begorra! you 're in as great haste as if ye were Darby the Blast
himself. Ye 'll come in and take a glass?"

Darby only laughed, and again excusing himself, he asked the way; which
having learned, he wished his newly-made friend good-night, and we
proceeded.

"They know you well hereabouts; by name, at least," said I, when we had
walked on a little.

"That they do," said Darby, proudly. "From Wexford to Belfast there
's few does n't know me; and they 'll know more of me, av I 'm right,
before I die."

This he spoke with more of determination than I ever heard him use
previously.

"Here 's the street now; there 's the lamp,--that one with the two
burners there. Faix, we 've made good track since morning, anyhow."

As he spoke we entered a narrow passage, through which the street lamp
threw a dubious half-light. This conducted us to a small paved court,
crossing which we arrived at the door of a large house. Darby knocked
in a peculiar manner, and the door was speedily opened by a man who
whispered something, to which M'Keown made answer in the same low tone.

"I 'm glad to see you again," said the man, louder, as he made way for
him to pass.

I pushed forward to follow, when suddenly a strong arm was stretched
across my breast, and a gruff voice asked,--"Who are you?"

Darby stepped back, and said something in his ear. The other replied,
sturdily, in the negative; and although Darby, as it appeared, used
every power of persuasion he possessed, the man was inexorable.

At last, when the temper of both appeared nearly giving way. Darby
turned to me, and said,--"Wait for me a moment, Tom, where you are, and
I 'll come for you."

So saying, he disappeared, and the door closed at the same time, leaving
me in darkness on the outside. My patience was not severely taxed; ere
five minutes the door opened, and Darby, followed by another person,
appeared.

"Mr. Burke," said this latter, with the tone of voice that at once
bespoke a gentleman, "I am proud to know you." He grasped my hand w