Miriam Alexander

Beyond the Law Miriam Alexander

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII THE SONG OF MAELDUNE THE days that followed that night of terror made an indelible impression on Dermot's mind. There was much that he could in no wise understand; the curious resignation of the peasants, the helplessness of Sir Martin FitzUlick, the mystery and sense of stress about Father Moran's hurried visits--Father Moran, whose comings and goings had hitherto been as open as the birds'. He was pondering on them this afternoon, as he knelt beside Sir Martin's eight-year-old daughter, Aideen, in the octagon "library" of Bally Ulick, whither Ethna had been moved from Shaun Ronan's farm. The problem weighed more on him than his elders imagined. He thought of little else. "His honour, my father, does not allow us to play with these chessmen," said Aideen complacently, turning the white queen round and round in her fat paw. "Also we are forbade this room--Barry and me--but we come here often." She glanced sideways at Dermot, anxious to impress this absent-minded guest, who had taken the prohibited chessmen too much as a matter of course. "Happen we 'll be beaten and put in the dungeon an' we 're caught," she added. "Your father cannot throw people into dungeons," returned Dermot. "I asked him--and he told me 'no.' What is it, Aideen?" "I hear people on the stairs!" gasped Aideen. "His honour and others. Oh, wirra, wirra! Run and peep, Dermot!" Dermot, alarmed, made haste to obey. There indeed was Sir Martin coming up the narrow ill-lit staircase, and behind him two brother Justices of the Peace, Major Sugrue and Colonel Conway. Dermot looked back at Aideen, who stood by the window seat, a square quaint little figure with her curly yellow head and her stiff long-waisted pink frock, into the bodice of which she was stuffing the chessmen pell-mel...