If I had been fool enough to flatter myself I was to be welcomed with open arms and made much of for yesterday's exploit, this was a short way of undeceiving me.

For a quarter of an hour I kicked my heels on the narrow causeway, looking up sometimes at the windows of the house for a chance glimpse of my little lady.

How would she meet me after all these years?
Would it be mere graciousness to one who had done her a service, or something more?
I should soon know.
The sentinel presently opened the gate and beckoned me to approach.
"Pass, Gallagher," said he, motioning me to follow his comrade.
The latter conducted me up the garden, and round the house to the yard, where a strange scene met my eyes.
A soldier stood on guard at each doorway.

In the middle of the open space was a table, and at it three chairs, in which sat his honour, another gentleman, and a choleric-looking man in the uniform of a captain of horse.

Standing before the table handcuffed, and in the custody of three policemen, stood Flanagan and his comrade, whom I had last left back to back on Black Hill Road.
His honour recognised my arrival with a cold nod, and Flanagan, who was apparently under examination at the moment, scowled viciously.