true--and that the house is haunted. O'Donnel, you must come home with
me to-night."

O'Donnel, who entertained no apprehension of ghosts, finding that the
"authorities" were not in question, agreed to go with him, although he
had a small matter on hand which required his presence in another part
of the country.

The baronet, however, had gained his point. The heart of the hasty
and unreflecting squire had been poisoned, and not one shadow of doubt
remained on his mind of Reilly's treachery. And that which convinced him
beyond all arguments or assertions was the fact that on the night of the
premeditated attack on his house not one of the Red Rapparee's gang was
seen, or any trace of them discovered.




CHAPTER VI.--The Warning--an Escape


Reilly, in the meantime, was not insensible to his danger. About eleven
o'clock the next day, as he was walking in his garden, Tom Steeple
made his appearance, and approached him with a look of caution and
significance.

"Well, Tom," said he, "what's the news?"

Tom made no reply, but catching him gently by the sleeve of his coat,
said, "Come wid Tom; Tom has news for you. Here it is, in de paper;" and