, and
Poll, availing herself of the opportunity, tapped gently: at first
it was not noticed, and she tapped again, somewhat louder; this was
successful--a gentle voice inquired in tones more of surprise than
alarm, "who is there, and what is your business!"

"A friend," said Poll.

"Poll Doolin!"

"The same, and I'm here on a case of life and death. Could you come out
for a start--three minutes will do."

"Certainly not--you trifled unnecessarily with my feelings before--I
will have no more mysteries. I can raise the window, however, and
anything you have to say can be said where we stand." She raised the sash
as she spoke. "Now," said she "what is your business, Poll?"

"Life and death, as I said," replied Poll "Do you not know that Mr.
Harman is to be tried for murder, and that the assizes will open in a
few days?"

"Unfortunately I do," replied Mary, sighing deeply, "but there can be no
doubt of his acquittal. Father Roche has been here, who was present, and
told us how the whole circumstance occurred."

"I don't doubt that," said Poll, "but this I tell you, and this you may
rely on, that hang he will, in spite of fate; he's doomed."

"Great God!" exclaimed the now terrified girl, "you chill the blood in
my veins--doomed!--what do you mean, Poll?"

"M'Clutchy will have him hanged in spite of all opposition--you know his
power now--he can carry everything his own way."

"I know," replied the other, "that his influence is unfortunately great,
no doubt, and cruelly is it exercised; but still, I don't know that he
can carry everything his own way."

"Do you know what packing a jury means?"

"Alas!" replied Mary, starting, and getting pale, "I do indeed, Poll. I
have heard of it too frequently."

"What, then, has the Vulture, the blood-hound, to do, but to get twelve
Orangemen upon the jury, and the work is done?"

The unhappy girl burst into tears, and wrung her hands, for, however
questionable the veracity of her present informant, she knew, from the
unfortunate circumstances of the country, that such corrupt influences
had too frequently been exerted.

"Don't you know," added Poll, "that the thing can be done? Isn't the
sheriff himself an Orangeman--isn't the sub-sheriff an Orangeman--isn't
the grand jury Orange, aren't they all Orange through other?"

"I believe so, indeed," said Mary, still weeping bitterly, "and there
is, I fear, little or no hope."

"Well, but," replied Poll, "what if I could