"  Scarcely,  my  Lord,  since  he  is  known  to  every  servant  in  the  house,
and  people  are  passing  and  repassing  in  every  direction.''

"  But  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  he  has  not  returned  at  all,"
interposed  Linton.  *'  It  is  some  one  else  has  been  heard  in  his  dressing-
room."

"■  Would  it  not  be  as  well  to  despatch  messengers  to  Drumcoolaghan,"
said  Meek,  "  and  assure  ourselves  of  Cashel's  safety?  Up  to  this  we  are
ignorant  if  he  have  not  shared  the  fate  of  poor  Kennyfeck."

"  The  very  suggestion  I  was  about  to  make.  I'll  take  Phillis  along
with  me,  and  set  out  this  instant,"  cried  Linton.
"  We  shall  miss  your  assistance  greatly  here,  Sir,"  said  the  Chief
Justice.
"  Your  Lordship  overvalues  my  poor  ability ;  but  I  will  hasten  to  the
utmost,  and  be  soon  back  again."  And  thus  saying,  he  left  the  room,
followed  by  Phillis.
"  There  must  be  an  inquest  at  once,"  said  the  Chief  Justice.  *'  The
Coroner  has  power  to  examine  witnesses  on  oath  ;  and  it  seems  to  me
that  some  clue  to  the  aflPair  will  present  itself."

*'  As  to  this  room ;  don't  you  think  it  were  proper  to  inquire  if  any
one  be  really  within  it  ?"  asked  Meek.
"  Yes  ;  we  will  proceed  thither,  together,"  replied  the  Judge.
"  I  canna  be  mistaken  in  the  pistol ;  I'll  swear  to  that,"  chimed  in
Sir  Andrew,  whose  whole  thoughts  were  centered  on  that  object.
