property. It is from the King I must get satisfaction, or he is no King. If I have been robbed in the King's name, isn't it the least the King can do to give me liberty and help and opportunity to follow and hunt up the thief until I catch him? I'll not leave a hole or a channel in Ireland that I won't search for him. Take me to the King,' said she. 'Take me to the King, or I'll go into his presence myself by some means.'
Cormac had to give her her own way. I don't think he had any objection. He was drawing water to his own mill in the matter; he knew that whoever would catch the thief and bring him to justice would be well paid for it. And he knew that no one could have better help in the work than Sive's help, so long as she was in that determined humour. He gave her her head.
"'I'll take you into the presence of the King,' said he, 'but take care not to do anything that would get me into a fix. You have often heard the proverb, "to go into the King's house is not the same as to get out," and "the flags of a great house are slippery." They are two good proverbs, and he who will not keep them well in mind will be sorry for it.'"
"'You need not fear,' said she. 'I only want to be placed standing in the presence of the King and be given leave to speak. All I have to say to him is that a gentleman came to my father's house in Minister; that he showed me the King's ring; that he pretended to be buying horses for the King; that he bought them in the King's name; that he pretended to me that he had not as much money as would pay for what he had bought, and that if I would lend him three hundred pounds for
