him a brief, and by no means a detailed account of
the danger he had passed.

"Well," said the other, "everything's clear enough when it's known; but,
as it's clear that you have enemies in the neighborhood, I think the
wisest thing you could do would be to lave it at wanst."

"Such, in fact, is my determination," replied M'Carthy; "no man, I
believe, who is marked ought to remain in the country; that is, when he
has no local duties that demand his presence in it, as I have not."

"You are right, sir; start this very day if you're wise, and don't give
your enemies--since it appears that you have enemies--an opportunity of
doin' you an injury; if they missed you twice, it's not likely they will
a third time; but tell me, Mr. M'Carthy--hem--have you no suspicion as
to who they are?"

"Not exactly; indeed I cannot say I have; the whole matter is shrouded
in the deepest mystery. I am not conscious of having offended or injured
any one, nor can I guess why my life should be sought after; but sought
after unquestionably it is, and that with an implacable resentment that
is utterly unaccountable."

"Well, then, Mr. Frank, listen:--I met about a dozen men--strangers they
wor to me, although their faces weren't blackened--not more than twenty
minutes ago; and one, o' them said to me, 'Cannie, every one knows' you,
and you know every one--do you know me?'"

"'No,' says I; 'you have the advantage of me.'

"'Do you know any one here?' says he again.

"'Well, I can't say I do,' says I; 'you don't belong to this part of the
country.'

"'If we did, Cannie,' said the spokesman, 'it isn't face to face, in the
open day, we'd spake to you.'

"'An' what is it you have to say to me?' I axed; for, to tell you the
truth, I was beginnin' to get unaisy someway.

"'Nothing to you; but we've been tould that you're well acquainted wid
Procthor Purcel, and that you know a young man, by name M'Carthy, that
stops for the present wid Mr. Magistrate O'Driscol.'

"'I do,' says myself; 'I'll not deny but I know them all well--I mane in
the way o' business--for I call there often to sell my goods.'

"'Well,' said the spokesman, 'will you give that letther,' handin' me
this, 'to Mr. M'Carthy?'" and as the pedlar spoke he placed the note
in M'Carthy's hands. "'Do so,' says the fellow, 'as soon as you can--if
possible, widout an hour's delay. It consarns himself and it consarns
me--can I depend on you to do this?' I said I would: and now ther