ay eye rested sharply upon them for a moment; it
then turned to Honor, afterwards to Connor, and again gleamed bitterly
at the intruders--"What is this?" said he, starting up; "what is this?
you don't mane to rob us?"

"I think," said the son, "you must be undher a mistake; you surely can
have no business with me. It's very likely you want some one else."

"What is your name?" inquired he who appeared to be the principal of
them.

"My name is Connor O'Donovan; an' I know no reason why I should deny
it."

"Then you are the very man we come for," said the querist, "so you had
better prepare to accompany us; in the mean time you must excuse us
if we search your room. This is unpleasant, I grant, but we have no
discretion, and must perform our duty."

"What do you want in this room?" said Fardorougha; "it's robbery you're
on for--it's robbery you're on for--in open daylight, too; but you're
late; I lodged the last penny yesterday; that's one comfort; you're
late--you're late."

"What did my boy do?" exclaimed the affrighted mother; "what did he do
that you come to drag him away from us?"

This question she put to the other constable, the first having entered
her son's bedroom.

"I am afraid, ma'am, you'll know it too soon," replied the man; "it's a
heavy charge if it proves to be true."

As he spoke his companion re-entered the apartment, with Connor's
Sunday coat in his hand, from the pocket of which he drew a steel and
tinder-box.

"I'm sorry for this," he observed; "it corroborates what has been sworn
against you by your accomplice, and here, I fear, comes additional
proof."

At the same moment the other two made their appearance, one of them
holding in his hand the shoes which Connor had lent to Flanagan, and
which he wore on the night of the conflagration.

On seeing this, and comparing the two circumstances together, a fearful
light broke on the unfortunate young man, who had already felt conscious
of the snare into which he had fallen. With an air of sorrow and manly
resignation he thus addressed his parents:--

"Don't be alarmed; I see that there is an attempt made to swear away my
life; but, whatever happens, you both know that I am innocent of doin'
an injury to any one. If I die, I would rather die innocent than live as
guilty as he will that must have my blood to answer for."

His mother, on hearing this, ran to him, and with her arms about his
neck, exclaimed,

"Die! die! Connor darlin'--my