Dutch troops.  The matter is entirely changed, now.  England has a strong army, against which a gathering, however strong, of undisciplined men could have but little chance.  I conceive it possible that a Catholic Stuart might regain the throne of Ireland, if backed by a French army, and if the people were supplied with French arms and money.  But that he would retain the throne, after the French were withdrawn, I regard as next to impossible.”

“I cannot but think the same, sir.  However, as I see no chance of my being able to go to Ireland, even to push my enquiries as to my family, there is nothing for it but to remain a soldier of France.”

“In that matter, I might assist you, Captain Kennedy.  I have no doubt that my influence, and that of my friends in England, would without difficulty suffice to gain permission for you to visit Ireland on private business, on my undertaking that you have no political object whatever in desiring to do so, and that you engage yourself to enter into no plots or schemes for a rising.  Furthermore, I think I can promise that, if you succeed in your researches, and find that you have relations and friends there, I could, if you desire it, obtain a revocation of any pains and penalties you may have incurred, and a restoration of all your rights as an Irishman.  That is certainly the least I can do, after the vital service that you have rendered me—­a service that, in itself, shows you do not share in the bitter enmity so many of your countrymen, unfortunately, feel against England.”

“I have no such enmity, assuredly,” Desmond said.  “The choice of coming out here, to enter the service of France, was not of my own making; but was made, for some reason which I have never been able to understand, by the gentleman who had borne the expenses of my bringing up, but who was himself a strong supporter of the English rule, and therefore would have been expected to place every obstacle in the way of my entering the Irish Brigade.”

Chapter 18:  War.

After hearing Desmond’s story the earl asked several questions, and obtained further details of his life when a boy, and of his interview with John O’Carroll.

“It is certainly strange,” he said thoughtfully, “and worth enquiring into, for it would seem that he must have some interest in thus getting you out of the way, and in your entering a service that would render it next to impossible that you should ever return to your native land.”

“I don’t see any possible interest that he could have had in that, sir; but, certainly, I have never been able to account for his conduct.”

“It is clear that there is some mystery about it,” the earl said warmly, “and were I you, I should certainly take leave of absence, for a time, and go over and get to the bottom of the matter.  At any rate, I will at once write to London and obtain a safe conduct for you.  This you can use, or not, as you may decide, and can then, if you so please, return and continue your service here.