“Yes, I did that,” whispered Heffernan in O'Reilly's ear; “I made the servant put on the Counsellor's greatcoat, and drive rapidly off towards the abbey. The carriage is now, however, at the back entrance to the court-house; so, by all means, persuade him to return.” “When do you propose bringing the fellow up for examination, Mr. O'Reilly?” said O'Halloran, as he arose from his seat. “To-morrow morning. I have given orders to summon a full bench of magistrates, and the affair shall be sifted to the bottom.” “You may depend upon that, sir,” said the Counsellor, sternly. “Now I 'll go back with you, Mr. Beecham O'Reilly.” So saying, he moved towards a private door of the building, where the phaeton was in waiting, and, before any attention was drawn to the spot, he was seated in the carriage, and the horses stepping out at a fast pace towards home. “It's not Bagenal Daly?” said O'Reilly, the very moment he saw the carriage drive off. “No, no!” said Heffernan, smiling. “Nor the young Darcy,--the captain?” “Nor him either. It's a young fellow we have been seeking for in vain the last month. His name is Forester.” “Not Lord Castlereagh's Forester?” “The very man. You may have met him here as Darcy's guest?” O'Reilly nodded. “What makes the affair worse is that the relationship with Castlereagh will be taken up as a party matter by O'Halloran's friends in the press; they will see a Castle plot, where, in reality, there is nothing to blame save the rash folly of a hot-headed boy.” “What is to be done?” said O'Reilly, putting his hand to his forehead, in his embarrassment to think of some escape from the difficulty. “I see but one safe issue,--always enough to any question, if men have resolution to adopt it.” “Let me hear what you counsel,” said O'Reilly, as he cast a searching glance at his astute companion. “Get him off as fast as you can.” “O'Halloran! You mistake him, Mr. Heffernan; he'll prosecute the business to the end.” “I'm speaking of Forester,” said Heffernan, dryly; “it is _his_ absence is the important matter at this moment.” “I confess I am myself unable to appreciate your view of the case,” said O'Reilly, with a cunning smile; “the policy is a new one to me which teaches that a magistrate should favor the escape of a prisoner who has just insulted one of his own friends.”