e rough masonry. Finlay was dragged in. The others
followed, until only Neal and his uncle stood outside.

"Go next, Neal."

"I cannot, uncle, I cannot. I am not able to bear this. Let me go away."

"No. Go in, Neal. I want you. I shall let you go before the end."

The vault was very small inside. It was hardly possible to stand
upright, and there was little room for moving. James Finlay, still bound
and gagged, lay at full length on the floor. Round him, their backs
against the walls, crouched the other men. Moylin's lantern cast a
feeble, smoky light. The air was heavy and close. It was the air of a
charnel house.

"Take from the prisoner the arms he has about him," said Donald. "Search
his pockets, and hand me any papers you find. Now unbind his hands and
free his mouth.

"James Finlay, we are here to do strict justice. You shall have every
opportunity of making any defence you can when you hear the charges
against you. If you clear yourself you shall go free. If you fail to
clear yourself you must abide the sentence we shall pronounce on you."

"You mean to murder me," said Finlay.

"We do not mean to murder you. We mean to try you fairly, to acquit or
condemn you in strict justice. The first charge against you is
this. Having been sworn a member of the United Irishmen's society in
Dunseveric, having been elected a member of the committee, you did in
Belfast betray the fact that there were cannons hidden in Dunseveric
meeting-house, and gave the names of your fellow-members to the military
authorities."

"I deny it," said James Finlay. "You have no proof of what you assert.
Will you murder a man on suspicion?"

"Neal Ward," said Donald, "is this the James Finlay who was sworn into
the society by your father?"

"Yes," said Neal.

"Tell us what you know about the visit of the yeomen to Dunseveric."

Neal repeated the story, telling how he knew that his own name was on
the list of persons to be arrested. There was a short silence when he
had finished. Then James Bigger said--

"You have not proved that charge. The circumstances are suspicious, but
you have proved nothing."

Donald Ward bowed. Finlay raised his eyes for the first time since he
had been dragged into the vault, and looked round him. There had risen
in him a faint gleam of hope.

"You are charged," said Donald again, "with having provided the dragoons
who rioted in Belfast last week with information which led them to
attack and wreck t