The stranger halted before them with a little nod and a courteous upward wave of his forefinger. “A fine day, gentlemen,” he remarked, with politeness. Major Snaffle had stepped in front of his companions. “Permit me to introduce myself,” he said, with a sudden resolution, “I am the stipendiary magistrate of the district. Would you kindly tell me if you are informed as to the present whereabouts of Mr. Cormac O’Daly, of this place?” The other showed no trace of surprise on his browned face. “Mr. O’Daly and his step-daughter,” he replied, affably enough, “are just now doing me the honor of being my guests, aboard my vessel in the harbor.” Then a twinkle brightened his gray eyes as he turned their glance upon Jerry’s red, moon-like face. He permitted himself the briefest of dry chuckles. “Well, young man,” he said, “they seem to have fed you pretty well, anyway, since I saw you last.” For another moment Jerry stared in round-eyed bewilderment at the speaker. Then with a wild “Huroo!” he dashed forward, seized his hand and wrung it in both of his. “God bless ye! God bless ye!” he gasped, between little formless ejaculations of dazed delight. “God forgive me for not knowin’ ye--you’re that althered! But for you’re back amongst us--aloive and well--glory be to the world!” He kept close to The O’Mahony’s side as the group began now to move toward the gate of the churchyard, pointing to him with his fat thumb, as if to call all nature to witness this glorious event, and murmuring fondly to himself: “You’re come home to us!” over and over again. “I am much relieved to learn what you tell me, Mr.---- Or rather, I believe you are O’Mahony without the mister,” said Major Snaffle, as they walked out upon the green. “I dare say you know--this has been a very bad winter all over the west and south’, and crime seems to be increasing, instead of the reverse, as spring advances. We have had the gravest reports about the disaffection in this district--especially among your tenants. That’s why we gave such ready credence to the theory of murder.” “Murder?” queried The O’Mahony. “Oh, I see--you thought O’Daly had been murdered?” “Yes, we arrested your man Higgins, here, yesterday. I was just on the point of starting with him to Bantry jail, an hour ago, when this young gentleman--” the major made a backward gesture to indicate Bernard--“came and said he knew where O’Daly was. He took me down to that curious underground chamber--” “Who took you down, did you say?” asked The O’Mahony, sharply. He turned on his heel as he spoke, as did the major. To their considerable surprise, Bernard was no longer one of the party. Their dumfounded gaze ranged the expanse of common round about. He was nowhere to be seen. The O’Mahoney looked almost sternly at Jerry. “Who is this young man you had with you--who seems to have taken to running things in my absence?” he demanded.