Ere the lapse of many minutes, the constable returned, and stated that Nanse was not be found.

“She has not been at her master’s house since morning,” he observed, “and they don’t know where she is, or what has become of her.”

The magistrate immediately despatched two of the constables, with strict injunctions! to secure her, if possible.

“In the mean time,” he added, “I will order you, Nell M’Collum, to be strictly confined, until I ascertain whether she can be produced or not.  Your haunts may be searched with some hope of success, while you are in durance; but I rather think we might seek for her in vain, if you were at liberty to regulate her motions.  I cannot expect,” he added, turning to the stranger, “that you should prosecute one so nearly related to you, even if you had proof, which you have not; but I am almost certain, that she has been someway or other concerned in the robbery.  You are a modest, interesting woman, and I regret the loss you have sustained.  At present there are no grounds for committing any of the parties charged with the robbery.  This unhappy woman I commit only as a vagrant, until her niece is found, after that we shall probably be able to see somewhat farther into this strange affair.”

“Something tells’ me, sir,” replied the stranger, “that this young man is as innocent of the robbery as the child unborn.  It’s not my intention ever to think of prosecuting him.  What I have done in the matter was against my own wishes.”

“God in heaven bless you for the words!” exclaimed the parents of O’Rorke, each pressing her hand with delight and gratitude.  The woman warmly returned their greetings, but instantly felt her bosom heave with a hysterical oppression under which she sank into a state of insensibility.  Lamh Laudher More and his wife were proceeding to bring her towards the door for air, when Nell M’Collum insisted on a prior right to render her that service.  “Begone, you servant of the devil,” exclaimed the old man, “your wicked breath is bad about any one else; you won!t lay a hand upon her.”

“Don’t let her, for heaven’s sake!” said his wife; “her eye will kill the woman!”

“You are not aware,” said the magistrate, “that this woman is her daughter?”

“Whose daughter, please your honor,” said the old man indignantly.

“Nell M’Collum’s,” he returned.

“It’s as false as hell!” rejoined O’Rorke, “beggin’ your honor’s pardon for sayin’ so.  I mean it’s false for Nell, if she says it.  Nell, sir, never had a daughter, an’ she knows that; but she had a son, an’ she knows best what became of him.”

Nell, however, resolved not to be deterred from getting-the stranger into her own hands.  With astonishing strength and fury she attempted to drag the insensible creature from O’Rorke’s grasp; but the magistrate, disgusted at her violence, ordered two of the persons present to hold her down.