lodging, but will meet at that burned-out village three miles along the
western road. If anything happens to me, go to the first house I went to,
and see Mr. O'Brian, and tell him that I have been taken. If there is
anything to be done he will do it. If not, make your way straight back to
Limerick. I have told you exactly what has been arranged with people I
have seen, and you can tell my father, who will report to the general.
But whatever you do, don't stop here with any idea of getting me out of
their hands. The most important thing is that they should know, at
Limerick, exactly what has been arranged. If you remain here, you would
almost certainly be caught also, for, as the man who has followed us will
be aware that we are together, a search will at once be made for you. So
mind, my orders are, that if you see I am in trouble you are at once to
set out for Limerick. If you think that I may manage to get away, you are
also to leave at once, but are to wait for me, for twelve hours, at the
village three miles out. If I do not come by the end of that time, it
will be that I have been taken, and you are to go straight on."

It was on the evening when all the arrangements were finally settled,
that a loud knocking was heard at the door of the house where eight of
the principal persons in the affair were assembled. One of them looked
out of the window, and announced that the street was full of soldiers.
All leaped to their feet, and drew their swords.

"It is of no use to resist, gentlemen," Walter said. "Do you put bottles
and glasses on the table, and sit down quietly. I will try to escape. If
they find you alone, they can prove nothing against you, and if I get
safe off, you also are safe. Is there any way out on to the roof? No
doubt the house is watched behind."

"There is a trapdoor," the gentleman, in whose house they were, said, and