The disappearance of Joey from the school was immediately communicated to McShane by the master, who could not imagine how such an incident could have occurred in such a decent establishment as his preparatory seminary; it was an epoch in his existence, and ever afterwards his chronology was founded upon it, and everything that occurred was so many months or weeks before or after the absconding of young Master McShane. The letter had, of course, been produced, and as soon as the schoolmaster had taken his departure, McShane and his wife were in deep council. "I recollect," said Mrs McShane, who was crying in an easy chair--"I recollect, now, that one day the boy came up and asked me the meaning of wilful murder, and I told him. And now I think of it, I do also remember the people at Number 1 table, close to the counter, some time ago, talking about a murder having been committed by a mere child, and a long report of it in the newspapers. I am sure, however (as Joey says in his letter), that he is not guilty." "And so am I," replied McShane. "However, bring up the file of newspapers, dear, and let me look over them. How long back do you think it was?" "Why, let me see; it was about the time you went away with Captain O'Donahue, I think, or a little before--that was in October." McShane turned over the file of newspapers, and after a quarter of an hour's search found the report of the coroner's inquest. "Here it is, my dear, sure enough," said McShane. As soon as he had read it over, and came to the end, he said, "Yes; wilful murder against Joseph Rushbrook the younger, and 200 pounds for his apprehension. This it was that drove the boy away from home, and not poaching, although I have no doubt that poaching was the cause of the murder. Now, my dear," continued McShane, "I think I can unravel all this; the murder has been committed, that's evident, by somebody, but not by Joey, I'll be sworn; he says that he is not guilty, and I believe him. Nevertheless, Joey runs away, and a verdict is found against him. My dear wife, I happen to know the father of Joey well; he was a fine, bold soldier, but one who would stick at nothing; and if I could venture an opinion, it is, that the murder was committed by Rushbrook, and not by the boy, and that the boy has absconded to save his father." The reader will acknowledge that McShane was very clear-sighted. "That's my opinion," continued McShane. "How it has been managed to make the boy appear as the party, I cannot tell; but knowing the father, and knowing the son, I'd stake my commission that I've guessed at the truth." "Poor boy!" exclaimed Mrs McShane; "well, the Commandments say that the sins of the father shall be visited upon the children. What can be done, McShane?"