uld have gathered his wits,
he stepped quietly across the passage to the door opposite, opened it,
not without a little noise, and went in.

It was a strange-looking chamber he had entered--that, doubtless, once
occupied by the ogre--The Reid Etin. Even in the bewilderment of the
moment, the tale he had just heard was so present to him that he cast
his eyes around, and noted several things to confirm the conclusion.
But the next instant came from below what sounded like a thundering
knock at the street door--a single knock, loud and fierce--possibly a
mere runaway's knock. The start it gave Donal set his heart shaking in
his bosom.

Almost with it came a little cry, and the sound of a door pulled open.
Then he heard a hurried, yet carefully soft step, which went down the
stair.

"Now is my time!" said Donal to himself. "She is alone!"

He came out, and went along the passage. The door at the end of it was
open, and Eppy stood in it. She saw him coming, and gazed with
widespread eyes of terror, as if it were The Reid Etin himself--waked,
and coming to devour her. As he came, her blue eyes opened wider, and
seemed to fix in their orbits; just as her name was on his lips, she
dropped with a sharp moan. He caught her up, and hurried with her down
the stair.

As he reached the first floor, he heard the sound of swift ascending
steps, and the next moment was face to face with Forgue. The youth
started back, and for a moment stood staring. His enemy had found him!
But rage restored to him his self-possession.

"Put her down, you scoundrel!" he said.

"She can't stand," Donal answered.

"You've killed her, you damned spy!"

"Then I have been more kind than you!"

"What are you going to do with her?"

"Take her home to her dying grandfather."

"You've hurt her, you devil! I know you have!"

"She is only frightened. She is coming to herself. I feel her waking!"

"You shall feel me presently!" cried Forgue. "Put her down, I say."

Neither of them spoke loud, for dread of neighbours.

Eppy began to writhe in Donal's arms. Forgue laid hold of her, and
Donal was compelled to put her down. She threw herself into the arms of
her lover, and was on the point of fainting again.

"Get out of the house!" said Forgue to Donal.

"I am here on your father's business!" returned Donal.

"A spy and informer!"

"He sent me to fetch him some papers."

"It is a lie!" said Forgue; "I see it in your face!"

"So long as I s