They then conducted him before a Mr. Brooldeigh, an active magistrate of
that day, and a gentleman of mild and humane character.




CHAPTER IV.

On reaching Brookleigh Hall, Lamh Laudher found the strange woman, Nell
M'Collum, Connor's servant maid, and the carman awaiting his arrival.
The magistrate looked keenly at the prisoner, and immediately glanced
with an expression of strong disgust at Nell M'Collum. The other female
surveyed Lamh Laudher with an interest evidently deep; after which
she whispered something to Nell, who frowned and shook her head, as if
dissenting from what she had heard. Lamh Laudher, on his part surveyed
the features of the female with an earnestness that seemed to absorb all
sense of his own disgrace and danger.

"O'Rorke," said the magistrate, "this is a serious charge against you. I
trust you may be able effectually to meet it."

"I must wait, your worship, till I hear fully what it is first," replied
Lamh Laudher, "afther that I'm not afraid of clearin' myself from it."

The woman then detailed the circumstances of the robbery, which it
appeared took place at the moment her luggage was in the act of being
removed to her room, after which she added, rather unexpectedly--"And
now your worship, I have plainly stated the facts; but I must, in
conscience, add, that although this woman," turning to Nell M'Collum,