No Defense, Complete

hael Clones of his friend, as th

reen coverings faded and worn, and looking pinched with col

an' he'll be out

four years. He was condemned to eight, but they've let him free, I don't know why. Perhaps it was because of what he told the government about the French navy. I've seen the joy of l

e pain than gaiety. "God love you, I know what he did. He flung out his ha

el no

u've used, and he flung o

he clothes he had when he went to prison,

ht from a shop, but he wouldn't have it. He would leave prison a poor man, as a peasant in peasant's clothes. So he wrote to me. Here is the letter." He drew from his pocket a sheet of paper, and spread it out. "See-read it.

istophe

re. He had his day; he lived his life. Things went wrong with

ny ups and downs, and some that bear my name have been in prison before this, but never for killing a man out of fair fight.' 'One of your name may be in prison, sir,' said I, 'but not for killing a man out of fair fight. If you believe he did, there's no death bad enough for you!' He was silent for a while; then at last he whispered Mr. Dyck's n

son gate," said his co

a brilliant phase to the scene. Out of the gates there came slowly, yet firml

aged man from which the dew of youth had vanished, into which life's storms had come and gone. Though the body was held erect, yet the head was thrust slightly forward, and the heavy eyebrows were like a pent-house. The eyes were slightl

e two were the only ones welcoming him into the world again! Michael Clones, with his oval red face, big nose, steely eye, and steadfast bearing, had in him the soul of great kings. His hat was set firmly on his head. His knee-breeches were neat,

ver-faithf

as he clasped the hand Dyck offered him. Presently

old man's shoulders affectionately. "This is no day for you to be waiting at prison's gates, Christopher; but there are two men who believe in me-two in all the world. It isn'

es it matter now?" ask

in shame, lost my friends, and come out with not a penny left?" asked Dyck. "

mall pieces of gold, and gazed

. "Those were taken from me when I entered prison. They've been in the hands of the

y pounds, and it's in my pocket. It was got from the sale of your sporting-kit. There was

nd smiled. "G

years he had been denied the free air of free men. Even when walking in the prison-yard, on cold or fair d

hop like one whose living depended on it. Some philanthropic official had started the idea of a workshop, and the officials had given the best of the prisoners a chance to learn

was as great as that between heaven and hell. Here he was, after four years of prison, walking the

ecame conscious that Michael and Christo

ith me." But the tw

a Calhoun of Playmore

rs I haven't had a meal that came from the right place or went to the right spot. Is the little tavern, the Hen an

el no

r money. Aye, and I'll have a bottle of red French wine, and you two will have what you like best. Mark me, we'll sit together t

," said Michael. "They m

ore smile came to

vain illusions. I was condemned f

ain!" But then Dyck nodded kindly. It was as if suddenly the martyr spirit had lifted him out of rigid, painful isolation, and he was speaking from a hilltop. "No, my friends, wha

but old Christopher turned a

music, and it's not Irish song, but the soul of the thing is Irish. Grim things await you, but you will conquer where the eagle sways to the shore, where the white mis

the voice of one who had the soul of a prophet, the old man turned. Head

is heart beating hard,

stopped to speak to him, though a few among them were people he had known well in days gone by. Was it the clothes he wore, or was it that his star had sunk so low tha

o is the sin

my soul o

Castle walls he stood a

I'll ask for nothing. I'll get to England. What's Ireland to me? I must make my way somewhere. There's one in there"-he nodded towards the Castle-"that owes me money at cards. He should open his pockets t

e had come, looking not to right nor left, thinking only of

n he sniffed the dinn

wo men with their hands against the bright fire. "There's

sir, if you please," said Michae

u as you go," said