“Let us remove, then, to my office,” said, Chevydale—­“it is now a few minutes past twelve, and I dare say they will soon be here.”

They accordingly did so; and, as he had said, the parties almost immediately made their appearance.

“Now, gentlemen,” said Father Magowan, “I am of opinion that the best way is for this girl to state what she knows concerning these Hogans; but I think I can now persave the raison why Kate Hogan has made it a point to come with her.  It is quite evident from her manner that she wishes to intimidate this girl, and to prevent her from stating fully and truly what she knows.”

“No,” replied Kate, “it is no such thing—­she must either state the whole truth or nothing; that’s what I want, an’ what she must do—­put the saddle on the right horse, Nanny—­since you will spake.”

“It is a good proverbial illustration,” observed Finigan, “but I will improve it—­put the saddle of infamy, I say, upon the right horse, Nanny.  You see, gintlemen,” he added, turning to the magistrates, “my improvement elevates the metaphor—­proceed, girsha.”

“Gentlemen,” said Hycy, “I received a note from Father Magowan informing me that it was probable certain charges might be brought against me—­or at least some complaints made,” he added, softening the expression—­“and I should be glad to know what they are all about, before this girl commences formally to state them; I say so in order that I may not be taken by surprise.”

“You know,” replied the priest, “that you cannot be taken by surprise; because I myself told you the substance of the strong suspicions that are against you.”

Bryan M’Mahon now entered, and was cordially greeted by Vanston—­and we may add rather kindly, in manner at least, by Chevydale.

“By the way,” asked the former of these gentlemen, “does this investigation bear in any way upon your interests, M’Mahon?”

“Not, sir, so far as I am aware of—­I come here because Father Magowan wished me to come.  I have no interests connected with this country now,” he added in a tone of deep melancholy, “there’s an end to that for ever.”

“Now, my good girl,” said Chevydale, “you will state all you know connected with these Hogans fully and truly—­that is, neither more nor less than the truth.”

“All the truth, Nanny,” said Kate Hogan, in a voice of strongly condensed power; “Hycy Burke,” she proceeded, “you ruined Bryan M’Mahon here—­and, by ruinin’ him, you broke Miss Kathleen Cavanagh’s heart—­she’s gone—­no docthor could save her now; and for this you’ll soon know what Kate Hogan can do.  Go on, Nanny.”

“Well, gintlemon,” Nanny began, “in the first place it was Mr. Hycy here that got the Still up in Ahadarra, in ordher to beggar Bryan M’Mahon by the fine.”

Hycy laughed.  “Excellent!” said he; “Why, really, Mr. Chevydale, I did not imagine that you could suffer such a farce as this is likely to turn out to be enacted exactly in your office.”