And where am I to deliver it ?" she asked.
"That I shall let you know on some future occasion--perhaps within the course of a week or so." "Well, sir," she replied, "I'd go twenty miles to deliver it--and will do so wid a heart and a half." "Well, Molly, I can tell you your journey won't be so far; but there is one thing you are to observe--you must never breathe it to a human creature." "I thought you knew me better, Mr.Reilly." "It would be impossible, however, to be too strict here, because you don't know how much depends upon it." At this moment Fergus put in his head, and said, "For Christ's sake, snuff out the candle, and Reilly--fly!--There are people in the next field!--quick!--quick!" Reilly snatched up his hat, and whispered to the widow, "Deny that you saw me, or that there was any one here!--Put out the candle!--they might see our figures darkening the light as we go out!" Fergus and Reilly immediately planted themselves behind a whitethorn hedge, in a field adjoining the cabin, in order to reconnoitre the party, whoever they might be, which they could do in safety.

This act of reconnoitering, however, was performed by the ear, and not at all by the eye; the darkness of the night rendered that impossible.

Of course the search in the widow's cabin was equally fruitless.
"Now," whispered Reilly, "we'll go in a line parallel with the road, but at a safe distance from them, until they reach the cross-roads.

If they turn towards my house, we are forewarned, but if they turn towards Sir Robert's, it is likely that I may have an opportunity of securing my cash and papers." On reaching the cross-roads alluded to, the party, much to the satisfaction of Reilly and his companion, did turn towards the residence of Sir Robert Whitecraft, thus giving the fugitives full assurance that nothing further was to be apprehended from them that night.

The men in fact felt fatigued and were anxious to get to bed.
After approaching Reilly's house very cautiously, and with much circumspection--not an outhouse, or other place of concealment, having been left unexamined--they were about to enter, when Reilly, thinking that no precaution on such an occasion ought to be neglected, said: "Fergus, we are so far safe; but, under all circumstances, I think it right and prudent that you should keep watch outside.