the bright
glances were gone, as though they had been by masks assumed at will;
tears furrowed their channels through the deep rouge, and convulsive
sobs broke from beneath corsets where joy alone had vibrated before.
While in the ballroom the scene was one of terror and dismay, a few had
withdrawn into a small apartment adjoining the garden, to consult upon
what the emergency might require. These were drawn together by Linton,
and included Sir Andrew MacFarline, the Chief Justice, Meek, and a few
others of lesser note. In a few words Linton informed them that he heard
the tidings as he passed through the hall; that a peasant, taking the
mountain path to Scariff, had come upon the spot where the murder was
committed, and found the body still warm, but lifeless--"he also found
this weapon, the bore of which was dirty from a recent discharge as he
took it up."

"Why, this pistol is Mr. Cashel's!" exclaimed Sir Andrew, examining
the stock closely; "I know it perfectly--I have fired with it myself a
hundred times."

"Impossible, my dear Sir Andrew!" cried Linton, eagerly. "You must be
mistaken."

"Where is Mr. Cashel?" asked the Chief Justice.

"No one seems to know," replied Linton. "At a very early hour this
morning he left this in company with poor Kennyfeck. It would appear
that they were not on the best of terms together; at least, some of the
servants overheard angry words pass between them as they drove away."

"Let us call these people before us," said Sir Andrew.

"Not at present, sir. It would be premature and indiscreet," interposed
the judge., Then, turning to Linton, he added, "Well, sir, and after
that?"

"After that we have no tidings of either of them."

"I'll swear to the pistol, onyhow," said Sir Andrew, who sat staring at
the weapon, and turning it about in every direction.

"Of what nature were the differences between Cashel and Kennyfeck
supposed to be?" asked Meek of Linton.

"It is impossible to collect, from the few and broken sentences which
have been reported; possibly, dissatisfaction on Cashel's part at the
difficulty of obtaining money; possibly, some misunderstanding about his
intentions regarding one of the girls, whom the Kennyfecks were silly
enough to suppose he was going to marry."

A slight tap at the door here arrested their attention. It was Mr.
Phillis, who came to say that footsteps had been heard in Mr. Cashel's
dressing-room, although it was well known he himself had