with the groans which his
extreme pain wrung from the wounded man and the solemn, quiet words
about strength and courage which Lord Dunseveric spoke.

A party of horsemen clattered up the street, and halted at the inn
door. They had a prisoner with them--a wretched-looking man, with torn
clothes, a bruised, bloody face, and hair matted with sweat and grime.
But Maurice recognised him. It was Neal Ward. He turned to his father.

"A company of yeomen has just marched in and they have Neal Ward with
them. Their officer, I think it was that blackguard Twinely, has asked
for General Clavering, and entered the inn."

"Very well, Maurice." Lord Dunseveric turned to the wounded man. "I must
leave you for a few minutes, my friend; keep quiet and be brave. I shall
be back again. Maurice will stay with you, and get you anything you
want."

"Where are you going, Eustace?"

"I'm going to the general, to this Clavering man. He has a prisoner now
whom I want to help if I can--the young man I told you about, who saved
me from being piked in the street to-day. I would to God he could have
saved you, too."

"That's past praying for now," said Lord O'Neill, "but you're right,
Eustace, you're right. Save him from the hangman if you can. There's
been blood enough shed to-day--Irish blood, Irish blood. There should be
no more of it."

Lord Dunseveric entered the room where General Clavering and his
officers sat at dinner. Captain Twinely stood at the end of the table,
and Lord Dunseveric heard the orders he received.

"Put him into the market-house to-night. I'll hang that fellow in the
morning, whatever I do with the rest."

"The market-house is full, sir," said Captain Twinely, "the officer in
command says he can receive no more prisoners."

"Damn it, man, shut him up somewhere else, then, but don't stand there
talking to me and interrupting my dinner. Here, landlord, have you an
empty cellar?"

"Your worship, my lord general, there's only the wine cellar; but it's
very nigh on empty now."

A shout of laughter greeted the remark.

"Fetch out the rest of the wine that's in it," said the general, "we'll
make a clean sweep of it. Or, stay, leave the poor devil one bottle of
decent claret. He's to be hanged tomorrow morning. He may have a sup of
comfort to-night."

Captain Twinely saluted and withdrew.

"General Clavering," said Lord Dunseveric, "I ask you to spare this
young man's life. I will make myself personally respon