At this moment, a female servant tapped at the drawing-room door, and after having been desired to come in, she communicated the following startling particulars:--She had forgotten her washing, she said, and gone out a little time before to bring it in, and in doing so, she spied several men with black faces and white shirts skulking about the house.

She was not sure, she said, on having the question put to her, whether she had been seen by them or not.
This communication, which was given with every mark of alarm and terror, completely altered the posture of affairs at the magistrate's.

Katherine O'Driscol's face became deadly pale as she turned a glance upon young Purcel, which he well understood.

"Alick," said she, "under these circumstances, it would, be absolute madness to attempt going home to-night.

It is very likely they have discovered that you are here, and are watching for you." "But if I do not return home," he replied, "it is equally probable that John and my father, wondering at my delay, may come to look for me, and in that case they might meet these ruffians--or rather might be waylaid by them." "Purcel, my dear fellow!" said the magistrate, who was now pretty deep in his cups, and consequently somewhat pot-valiant--or at least disposed to show them a touch of his valor--"Alick, my dear fellow, you are courageous enough, I admit, but at the same time, you must put yourself under the guidance of a brave and loyal old magistrate, who is not to be cowed and intimidated by a crew of midnight cut-throats.