'Oh, then no one has mentioned a trade to you?' he said in tones
of disappointment.

'Ye--es,' she replied slowly. 'At least, as I walked down the
path a voice cried out "Robbery! Robbery! Robbery!" but that was
all.'

'And quite enough too,' answered the boy. 'What did I tell you?
That is going to be my trade.'

'Then your end will be hanging at the bridge of Dublin,' said
she. But there was no sleep for her that night, for she lay in
the dark thinking about her son.

'If he is to be a thief at all, he had better be a good one. And
who is there that can teach him?' the mother asked herself. But
an idea came to her, and she arose early, before the sun was up,
and set off for the home of the Black Rogue, or Gallows Bird, who
was such a wonderful thief that, though all had been robbed by
him, no one could catch him.

'Good-morning to you,' said the woman as she reached the place
where the Black Gallows Bird lived when he was not away on his
business. 'My son has a fancy to learn your trade. Will you be
kind enough to teach him?'

'If he is clever, I don't mind trying,' answered the Black
Gallows Bird; 'and, of course, if ANY one can turn him into a
first-rate thief, it is I. But if he is stupid, it is of no use