'Is it dangerous I am?' grumbled the other. 'Sure something must be risked, or we'll niver get along. I've an idaya, gintlemen, which I'm willing to see to at my own expense, though a poor man. I've reason to know that the militia may be tampered with. Their hearts are with the cause, and they're as poor as rats or your humble servant. Money and drink will do much, and women will settle the matter. Here's a letter from Belfast which says that two hundred and fifty of the men in camp there have secretly declared for us, and that it only needs the personal presence of a delegate to bring over half the rest. When the French land they'll rise and kill their officers. Think of the fine fright that'll give the royalists! Sure and isn't that the way to out-plot England? Shall I go to Belfast and reconnoitre? Of coorse ye must give me credentials. A little note, signed, will do the trick, and show I'm honest. As for the town-major of whom ye're all so frightened, his bark's worse nor his bite. The Irish Jonathan Wild can be bribed. I'll answer for him; but there's time galore for that. Dangerous, am I? I'm the only one, I think, with a drain of sperit. There's a great speech. Phew, I'm dhry! Hand round the clart, boys, and we'll have a stave.' The simple giant's harangue was favourably received, the paper was penned and signed, and he was wetting his whistle for a song when Tom Emmett raised his hand. 'Hark! who comes?' There was a footstep on the creaking stair; then a knock; and a familiar voice said: 'It is I. Curran.' 'Nurse Curran!' sneered Cassidy, annoyed. 'Come to look after his foster-babby.' The little advocate entered, and leaned against the door with his arms folded. 'Terence, my lad,' he said. 'You must come away with me. What would my lady say, if you came to be arrested?' 'Arrested!' echoed a dozen voices. 'Within Trinity? Impossible!' 'I fail to see that it's impossible,' snarled Curran. 'Hide those foolish papers there, or burn them--children, too easily beguiled with toys! And you, Terence, come away with me at once. Why? Are not convenient edicts being passed each day to simplify the work of government? Laws for the suppression of gaming, profane swearing, atheistical assemblies, which places every man's home under surveillance of the town-major?' 'You have explicit information?' inquired Tom Emmett, anxiously.