Now, an event had taken place the very day before this, which opened up to his mind a new plan of operations altogether.

This was the death of the under gaoler of Castle Cumber.

Darby began to think of this as a good speculation, should it succeed; but alas! upon second reflection there stood an insurmountable difficulty in his way.

He was a Roman Catholic so far as he was anything; and this being a situation of too much trust and confidence at the period to be given to any one of that persuasion, he knew he he could not obtain it.

Well, but here again he was fortunate, and not without the prospect of some consolation.