there, I'll tell you; at least,
I'll tell you what my fears are. You went to them to talk over your
father's affairs respecting Keegan and Flannelly; you went to induce
those poor misguided men not to pay their rent to him; and oh! Thady,
if what I've heard is true, you went there to consult with them
respecting a greater crime than I'll now name, and to instigate them
to do that which would lead to their and your eternal shame and
punishment."

Thady now shook in his chair, as though he could hardly keep his
seat; he felt the perspiration stand upon his brow, and he wiped it
off with his sleeve; he did not dare to deny that he had done this,
of which Father John was accusing him, though he felt that he had
been far from instigating them to any crime like murder. Father John
continued:

"If you have joined these men,--if you have bound yourself to these
men by any oath,--if there is any league between you and them, let
me implore you to disregard it; nothing can be binding, that is only
to bind you to greater wickedness. I do not ask you to tell me any
of their secrets or plans, though, God knows, what you tell me now
would be as sacred as if I heard it in the confessional; but if you
have such secrets, if you know their signs, whatever may be the
consequence, at once renounce them."

"I know no secrets or signs, Father John, and I don't belong to any
society."

"Then, if you don't, you can have nothing to bind you. Is it true
that you were rash enough, mad enough, to speak to these men about
murdering Keegan? Tell me; have you a plan made to murder Keegan?
Have you had such a crime in your thoughts?"

It had been in his thoughts all day: what answer should he make?
should he lie, and deny it all? or should he confess it all, just as
it was?

"If you'll not tell me, I must, for Mr. Keegan's sake, take some step
to secure his safety. Come, Thady, come; you know it's not by threats
I wish to guide you; you know I love you. I know well enough your
patient industry--your want of selfishness. I know, if you have for a
moment thought of this crime, you have now repented it: tell me how
far you have gone, and if you are in danger;--if you have done that
which was very, very wicked. I will still try and screen you from the
effects of a sin, which I am sure was not premeditated. Is there any
plot to murder Keegan?"

"There is not."

"As you are a living man, there's none?"

"There is not."

"What were you saying