and Cry_ of a certain date, read a description, and, as he advanced, he
turned his eyes with singular sagacity and satisfaction upon the person
and features of poor Easel.

"Browbeater was right," said he; "you are here at full length in
the _Hue and Cry_--middle size--of rather plausible carriage--brown
hair--hazel eyes--and a very knowing look--the upper lip a good deal
curled; which I see is the case; known to be in the possession of more
money that ought to belong to a person in your condition--and lastly,
before you came here you were hawking high treason in the King's County,
in the character of a ballad-singer and vagabond. You have expended
sums of money among the poor of this neighborhood, with no good intention
towards the government; and the consequence is that Whiteboyism has
increased rapidly since you came amongst us."

"But on what authority do you arrest me now?"

"I might arrest you at any time on suspicion; but here are affidavits,
in which it is sworn that you are believed to be a popish spy and
treasonable agent; and besides I have instructions from the Castle to
take you."

"But what am I to do?" asked Easel,--"I am a stranger, and known here by
nobody, This, certainly, is not a very Irish reception, I must say, nor
is it very creditable to the hospitality of the country. You were civil
enough to me when you expected me to become an Orangeman."

"Ah," replied Val, "that's a proof of your ability; you overreached me
then, which is what few could have done. No--none but a master-hand like
you could do it. Mr. M'Loughlin," he proceeded, "would you allow me a
separate room for a few minutes? I am anxious to put some questions to
this mischievous vagabond, privately."

"With all my heart," replied the other; "go into the dining-room."

"Now, you scoundrel," said Val, "that you may labor under no mistake,
I think it fair to tell you that Browbeater and I know everything about
you, and all the Protean shapes you have gone through for the last three
years, in different parts of the kingdom Now listen to me, you d----d
impostor; listen to me, I say--you have it in your power to become a
useful man to the present government. They have revived the Spy system,
and there is no doubt, from your acquaintance with the designs and
proceedings of Whiteboyism, and of Popery in general, that you can
afford very important information on the subject; if you can, your bread
is baked for life. You know not the larg