It was nine o'clock when I came alongside his honour's jetty, and once
more demanded entrance of the sentry. This time I was received even
more suspiciously than in the morning, and was allowed to wait for
nearly half-an-hour before it was decided that I might safely be
admitted into the premises. For this irritating delay I had probably to
thank the impatience with which I met the sentinel's questions; for when
at last I found myself at the house, his honour met me with an inquiry
why I had delayed my coming to so late an hour.
"It is four long leagues to Malin," said he, "and on such a road you are
not likely to be there before midnight, when the inn will be closed.
However, get Martin to saddle Tara for you. I wish Miss Kit and her
maid to start for Derry at daybreak."
"Where is she now?" I asked.
"At the house of Mr Shannon, the magistrate who is with me here."
"And where is she to be taken in Derry?"
"To the Foyle Inn, where she will find instructions from me as to her
journey to Dublin."
"Have you the pass?"