When I returned my companions
were in the gallery. This ran round two sides of the hall, which went up
to the roof. The only access to the upper part of the house was by a
stone staircase of a single flight. The kitchen and offices were on the
ground floor, otherwise it was uninhabited.
Ralph had his pistols by him, and his cavalry sword, long and heavy, but
admirably poised, lay within his reach.
"I have settled it," he said. "You and Connell are to take the guns.
Smooth-bores are quickest loaded, and will do for this short distance.
Clontarf, who is not quite so sure with the trigger, is to have the post
of honor, and guard the staircase with his sabre. Throw another bucket
of water over it, Connell--is it thoroughly drenched? And draw the
windows up" (these did not reach to within ten feet of the floor); "we
shall be stifled else. But there will be a thorough draft when the
door's down, that's our comfort. One word with you, Carew."
He drew me aside, and spoke almost in a whisper, while his face was very
grave and stern.
"You will do me this justice, whatever happens. Unless it had been
forced upon me, I would not have risked a hair of your wife's head to
save all the attorneys that are patronized by the father of lies.
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