t is not at all clear that I will," replied M'Carthy; "you are a
perfect stranger to me--at least your disguise makes you so. You are out
on illegal business, as is evident from that disguise, and you are armed
with a case of pistols. Now, under these circumstances, happen what may,
until I know more about you, and who you are, I will not walk one inch
in your society, except as a free agent."

"Hear me," replied the other; "you were singled out for murdher this
night, and you only escaped by a miracle--by the assistance of a man who
is a warm friend to you, and who got information of the danger you wor
in from another friend who suspected that you were in that danger. Two
pistols wor loaded to settle you, as they say. Well, the person that
saved your life damped the powder in these pistols--both wor snapped at
you, and they didn't go off--am I right?"

"You are right for so far, certainly."

"Well, then, the other two who followed you--one of them with a long,
sharp dagger--were shot down--d--n your friend that didn't send the
bullets through their brains instead of their hams and limbs; however,
they fell and you escaped--am I right?"

"Perfectly correct," replied M'Carthy; "and you must have had your
information only from the person who befriended me."

"Well, then, have you-any objection to come with me now?"

"Every objection; I wish to go either to Mr. O'Driscol's or Mr.
Purcel's."

"Listen. I say if you attempt this night to go to either one house or
the other, you will never carry your life to them. If I was your enemy,
and wished to put a bullet into you, what is there to prevent me now, I
ask you?"

"All, my good friend," replied M'Carthy, "that argument won't pass with
me. Many. a man there is--and I dare say you know it well--who feels
a strong scruple against committing murder with his own hands, who,
notwithstanding, will not scruple to employ others to commit it for
him."

"Do you refuse to come with me, then? because if you do to-morrow
mornin' will rise upon your corpse. Even I couldn't save you if you were
known. There's a desperate and a dreadful game goin' to be played soon,
and as you stand in the way of a man that possesses great power, and has
a perticular end in view--the consequence is that you are doomed. Even
if you do come with me, I must blacken your face, in ordher to prevint
you from being known."

"Will you answer me one question candidly," said M'Carthy--"if it's a
fair one?