‘What is it, Larry? What has happened?’ asked she. ‘You are to go--as fast as you can,’ said he; which being for him a longer speech than usual, seemed to have exhausted him. ‘Go where? and why?’ ‘Yes,’ said he, with a stolid look, ‘you are.’ ‘I am to do what? Speak out, boy! Who sent you here?’ ‘Yes,’ said he again. ‘Are they in trouble yonder? Is there fighting at the village?’ ‘No.’ And he shook his head, as though he said so regretfully. ‘Will you tell me what you mean, boy?’ ‘The pony is ready?’ said he, as he stooped down to pack away the things in the basket. ‘Is that gentleman coming back here--that gentleman whom you saw with me?’ ‘He is gone; he got away.’ And here he laughed in a malicious way, that was more puzzling even than his words. ‘And am I to go back home at once?’ ‘Yes,’ replied he resolutely. ‘Do you know why--for what reason?’ ‘I do.’ ‘Come, like a good boy, tell me, and you shall have this.’ And she drew a piece of silver from her purse, and held it temptingly before him. ‘Why should I go back, now?’ ‘Because,’ muttered he, ‘because--’ and it was plain, from the glance in his eyes, that the bribe had engaged all his faculties. ‘So, then, you will not tell me?’ said she, replacing the money in her purse. ‘Yes,’ said he, in a despondent tone. ‘You can have it still, Larry, if you will but say who sent you here.’ ‘_He_ sent me,’ was the answer. ‘Who was he? Do you mean the gentleman who came here with me?’ A nod assented to this. ‘And what did he tell you to say to me?’ ‘Yes,’ said he, with a puzzled look, as though once more the confusion of his thoughts was mastering him. ‘So, then, it is that you will not tell me?’ said she angrily. He made no answer, but went on packing the plates in the basket. ‘Leave those there, and go and fetch me some water from the spring yonder.’ And she gave him a jug as she spoke, and now she reseated herself on the grass. He obeyed at once, and returned speedily with water. ‘Come now, Larry,’ said she kindly to him. ‘I’m sure you mean to be a good boy. You shall breakfast with me. Get me a cup, and I’ll give you some milk; here is bread and cold meat.’ ‘Yes,’ muttered Larry, whose mouth was already too much engaged for speech. ‘You will tell me by-and-by what they were doing at the village, and what that shouting meant--won’t you?’ ‘Yes,’ said he, with a nod. Then suddenly bending his head to listen, he motioned with his hand to keep silence, and after a long breath said, ‘They’re coming.’ ‘Who are coming?’ asked she eagerly; but at the same instant a man emerged from the copse below the hill, followed by several others, whom she saw by their dress and equipment to belong to the constabulary. Approaching with his hat in his hand, and with that air of servile civility which marked him, old Gill addressed her. ‘If it’s not displazin’ to ye, miss, we want to ax you a few questions,’ said he.