The simple giant's harangue was favourably received, the paper was penned and signed, and he was wetting his whistle for a song when Tom Emmett raised his hand.
'Hark! who comes?'
There was a footstep on the creaking stair; then a knock; and a familiar voice said: 'It is I. Curran.'
'Nurse Curran!' sneered Cassidy, annoyed. 'Come to look after his foster-babby.'
The little advocate entered, and leaned against the door with his arms folded.
'Terence, my lad,' he said. 'You must come away with me. What would my lady say, if you came to be arrested?'
'Arrested!' echoed a dozen voices. 'Within Trinity? Impossible!'
'I fail to see that it's impossible,' snarled Curran. 'Hide those foolish papers there, or burn them--children, too easily beguiled with toys! And you, Terence, come away with me at once. Why? Are not convenient edicts being passed each day to simplify the work of government? Laws for the suppression of gaming, profane swearing, atheistical assemblies, which places every man's home under surveillance of the town-major?'
'You have explicit information?' inquired Tom Emmett, anxiously.
'I don't say that!' stammered Curran, somewhat confused. 'I only say that your threshold might be invaded at any moment, and that ye've yourselves to thank if ye get into a hopeless scrape. A few hours since, a carpenter who is under obligation to me was at work in Ely Place. While repairing the floor between two double doors he distinctly heard Lord Clare in conversation with the town-major, in which Sirr told his chief that there would be a strong muster to-night in this boy's chambers. Am I making too free in asking you to lock away those documents, or would ye prefer hanging at once to save trouble? The carpenter wrenched off a hinge and begged to be allowed to fetch a new one; but instead of going straight to the ironmonger's he ran to me with commendable speed, gave the office, and returned to his work. What it all means I am not in a position to say; but mark my words, you have a traitor in your midst, who reports to the enemy every word you utter. Your necks are your own, to do with as you like; but I'm responsible for you, Terence, to your mother, and I summon you to go away with me.'