"Only how long is this formality going on? It's as clear a case as you could have, and yet here have we been sitting an hour in this draughty yard trying to obscure it," said the soldier gruffly. "I'm sent here to administer martial law, not to kick my heels about in a police-court." The two magistrates took this rebuke meekly, and the president proceeded to pronounce his sentence. "Cassidy," said he to the prisoner who had not spoken, and who had evidently refused to answer any question, "you have been caught red- handed in a cowardly attempt to murder an officer of his Majesty, and have admitted your guilt. You have also been proved to be a sworn rebel against the king, and engaged in a conspiracy to overturn his government in Ireland. According to the law, your life is forfeited, and I have no alternative but to hand you over to the military authorities for immediate execution." "Guards!" cried the captain, rising, "advance! Take the prisoner outside and shoot him. Quick march!" Cassidy, who heard his sentence without concern or emotion, shouted,-- "Down with the king! Down with informers!" and fell in between his executioners, as they marched from the yard. "As for you, Flanagan, your guilt is equally clear and heinous; but you have given evidence which entitles you to more lenient treatment. You will be taken to Derry Jail, till arrangements are made to send you out of the country--" "Faith, I'd start this day!" said Flanagan, on whom the perils of remaining within reach of his late comrades were evidently beginning to dawn. "Silence! Remove the prisoner!" At this moment the report of a volley in the paddock without sent a grim shudder through the party. Flanagan, with a livid face, walked off between his guards, and the three magistrates turned to enter the house. His honour beckoned to me to follow, and took me into his private room. "I owe you something for yesterday," said he in his ungracious way. "Take a word of advice. Get out of these parts as soon as you can, and warn your brother to do the same." "Why should I go?" said I. "I've done nothing to be ashamed of." "Unless you are prepared to tell the authorities everything you know, and assist in hunting down the rebels, you are better away. You are a marked man already among the rebels. Unless you assist our side you will be a marked man among the authorities." "If it comes to that, your honour," said I, "there is no man more marked in these parts than yourself. The boys could forgive you for being on the English side, but they can't forgive you for having encouraged them once and turned against them now." His honour turned white at this. "How do you know that?" he demanded. "How does every one know it?" replied I. "Your enemies are not likely to let you off with yesterday's attempt."