“But on what authority do you arrest me now?”

“I might arrest you at any time on suspicion; but here are affidavits, in which it is sworn that you are believed to be a popish spy and treasonable agent; and besides I have instructions from the Castle to take you.”

“But what am I to do?” asked Easel,—­“I am a stranger, and known here by nobody, This, certainly, is not a very Irish reception, I must say, nor is it very creditable to the hospitality of the country.  You were civil enough to me when you expected me to become an Orangeman.”

“Ah,” replied Val, “that’s a proof of your ability; you overreached me then, which is what few could have done.  No—­none but a master-hand like you could do it.  Mr. M’Loughlin,” he proceeded, “would you allow me a separate room for a few minutes?  I am anxious to put some questions to this mischievous vagabond, privately.”

“With all my heart,” replied the other; “go into the dining-room.”

“Now, you scoundrel,” said Val, “that you may labor under no mistake, I think it fair to tell you that Browbeater and I know everything about you, and all the Protean shapes you have gone through for the last three years, in different parts of the kingdom Now listen to me, you d——­d impostor; listen to me, I say—­you have it in your power to become a useful man to the present government.  They have revived the Spy system, and there is no doubt, from your acquaintance with the designs and proceedings of Whiteboyism, and of Popery in general, that you can afford very important information on the subject; if you can, your bread is baked for life.  You know not the large, the incredible large staff of Spies that we have at work, and believe me, when I tell you that if you make the proper disclosures to me I shall recommend you in the strongest terms to Browbeater, who will have you placed high upon the list of informers—­a respectable class of men, let me tell you, and extremely useful—­so that you will be well and liberally paid for your treachery, I mean that treachery which has amor patriae to justify it.  We will not attempt to control your genius in any way; you can take to ballad-singing again, if you like, or any other patriotic line of serving the government which you choose.  Having premised me this much, allow me now to ask you your real name.”

“For the present I must decline answering that question.”

“Very proper—­I see you know your business:  and it is not my wish that you should say anything to criminate yourself—­certainly not.  But in the meantime, that you may see I am not at all in the dark, I tell you that your name is Larry O’Trap, a decent journeyman carpenter by trade, but as much a painter as I am a parson.”

“I won’t submit to a private examination,” replied Easel; “examine me publicly—­that is, before the gentlemen in the next room, and I will answer you to better purpose, perhaps; but I hate this hole and corner work.”