“What kind of a woman is she?” asked the baronet.

“Faith, your honor, a sturdy and strapping wench, somewhat rough, in the face, but of great proportions.”

Now it so happened that Mr. Drum had been sitting at the window during this brief conversation, and at once recognized, under the disguise of a woman, the celebrated informer, the Rev. Mr. Hennessy, a wretch whose criminal course of life, as we said before, was so gross and reprobate that his pious bishop deemed it his duty to suspend him from all clerical functions.

“Sir Robert,” said Drum, “I must go up to my room and shave.  My presence, I apprehend, won’t be necessary where there is a lady in question.”

“Very well,” replied the baronet; “I know not what her business may be; but I shall be glad to speak with you after she shall have gone.”

It was very well that Hennessy did not see Drum, whom he would at once have recognized; but, at all events, the interview between the reprobate priest and the baronet lasted for at least an hour.

After the Rev. Miss Hennessy had taken her departure, Mr. Drum was sent for by the baronet, whom he still found in the breakfast parlor.

“Drum,” said he, “you have now an opportunity of essentially serving not only me, but the Government of the country.  This lady turns out to be a Popish priest in disguise, and I have taken him into my confidence as a guide and auxiliary.  Now you have given me proofs of personal attachment, which is certainly more than he has done as yet.  I have heard of his character as an immoral priest; and the man who could be false to his own creed is not a man to be relied upon.  He has described to me the position of a cavern, in which are now hiding a set of proscribed priests; but I cannot have confidence in his information, and I wish you to go to the ravine or cavern, or whatever the devil it is, and return to me with correct intelligence.  It may be a lure to draw me into danger, or perhaps to deprive me of my life; but, on second thought, I think I shall get a military force, and go myself.”

“And perhaps never return, unless with your heels foremost, Sir Robert.  I tell you that this Hennessy is the most treacherous scoundrel on the face of the earth.  You do not know what he’s at, but I will tell you, for I have it from his own cousin.  His object is to have you assassinated, in order to restore himself to the good graces of the bishop and the Catholic party, who, I must say, however, would not countenance such a murderous act; still, Sir Robert, if you were taken off, the man who took you off would have his name honored and exalted throughout the country.”

“Yes, I believe you are right, Drum; they are thirsting for my blood, but not more than I am thirsting for theirs.”