dropping his voice to a whisper; "see, Molly,
here 's five goold guineas for ye, av ye 'll let us in. 'T is a man's
life 's on it, and one I 'd give my own for twice over."

"Av ye offered me forty," replied she, "I dar'n't do it. Ye don't know
the sorrow that 's here this night; 't is Dan Fortescue is going. I 'm
coming, I 'm coming!" muttered she to some call from within. And then,
without waiting to hear more, she shuffled back along the passage, and
left us once more alone.

"There's nothing for it but this now," said Darby, as, retiring a few
paces, he dashed his shoulder against the door with all his force; but
though a powerful man, and though every window rattled and trembled with
the tremendous shock, the strong panels withstood the stroke, and never
yielded in the least. "'T is no use firing through the lock," said he,
in a tone of despair. "Blessed Joseph! what 's to be done?"

As he spoke, the light tread of a barefooted child was heard coming up
the lane, and the same moment a little girl approached the door. She
carried a cup in her hand, and held it carefully, as if fearful of
spilling its contents. As she neared the door, she seemed uncertain how
to proceed, and at last, as if gaining courage, tapped twice at it with
her knuckles.

"Don't ye know me, Nora?" said Darby; "don't ye know Darby the Blast?"

"Ah, Mister M'Keown, is this you? Ah, I'm afeard it 's little use there
is in coming here to-night; Mr. Fortescue's dying within, and Doctor
Kenagh can't leave him, I 'm bringing him this to take, but--"

"Nora, dear," said Darby, "I 've a secret for Mr. Fortescue, and must
see him before he dies. Here 's a crown, my darlin', and don't tell any
one I gave it to ye." Here he stooped down, and whispered rapidly some
words in her ear.

"Who 's there?" broke in the hag 's voice from within. "'T is me; Nora,"
said the child, boldly. "Are ye alone, there? do ye see any one about
the door?"

"Sorra one. Can't you let me in out of the cowld?" "Come in quick,
then," said the crone, as she opened the door carefully, and only wide
enough to let the child pass; but the same instant Darby dashed forward
his foot, and flinging the door full wide, seized me by the collar, and
dragged me in after him, closing the door at once behind him.

The screams of the hag, though loud and vehement, were as unheeded as
were Darby's own efforts to attract notice half an hour before.

"Be quiet, I say; hush yer crying, or b