"Och! never mind that," said Father Murphy; "for that we are already, ye know."
"Who have we here?" cried some soldiers, who now descended into the cave; and who as before-mentioned, were particularly alert in performing their duty in examining all strangers.
"And is it me ye are asking that?" demanded Father Murphy? "for if it is, it's of no manner of use; for if I were to set about telling you, it's a hundred to one if ever ye got to the bottom of it."
"Is it possible?" cried one of the soldiers; "surely my ears deceive me, or that is the voice of Father Murphy!"
"Sure and it is!" said the reverend father; "and whose should it be but my own? D'ye think I'd use that of another person?"
"No, no!" returned the soldier, laughing; "but my astonishment was, to find the owner of the voice so near me. Though, now I think of it, it is not at all surprising, as the Duke of Cornwall is at the palace hard by, and you of course are with him."
"And how can I be with him," asked the
