Dearest!

You have not gone?

I tried to, but I've been hanging about here -

You will be, dear, if you don't take care! Papa has been warned; the soldiers are going to raid Carrig-Cleena - you have been betrayed.

That's Professor Bunn! Where is he? I knew he was dangerous! (Runs up.)

Ah!

(to Susan) Where is he, Susan?

Oh, he's safe enough, my lady.

Not he!

You don't know him as I do! He's a nero.

(coming down) Not a Nero, Susan. I cannot marry a lady without aspirations.

Go away, you silly old man!

Susan! (Taking off his beard.)

Mystery on mystery!

So you are trying to escape in disguise? (Presenting pistol.)

Don't let it go off, please! (Both girls stop their ears.)

You are frightening the ladies, Sir. (Goes to them, and shields himself between them.)

(entering, followed by girls) Listen, Terence O'Brian! Do ye know the soldiers are out - and a traitor somewhere?

Yes, and I know where he is! There!

Wait, lest ye shoot an innocent man. It is in my mind to say it is another - though it is not in my heart to say who. But the game's not up - it is only beginning.

How?

This way. I have thought how to keep Carrig-Cleena clear of the soldiers. They are mostly men from Devonshire, and they say such are mighty afraid of fairies. We'll tell them the tales of the place bein' haunted. We'll tell them how the Fairy Cleena catches all the good-lookin' boys and keeps them sleepin' and dreamin' for fifty years.

They won't believe everything you choose to tell them. They're ordinary soldiers, not the Intelligence Department.

They shall believe it. It's myself that's goin' to appear to them as the Fairy Cleena herself - and seein' is believin'.

There really might be something in it!

Now, perhaps, you will let me tell you why I put on this costume. Not for any purposes of escape. Not from any selfish motive. I am prepared, for the purpose of hoaxing the soldiers, to impersonate a gentleman who has been kept a prisoner by the Fairy - er -

Cleena?

Precisely - by the Fairy - er - er - for fifty years. That is why I have adopted this costume. It is the nearest thing to Rip Van Winkle I had by me.

How clever!

Yes, I am pretty quick at getting at an idea. If you will all follow my instructions, I have no doubt I shall be able to frighten these soldiers into fits.

Mr. Bunn, I am sorry - I was hasty.

Well, you were a little free with the shooting-gallery. But there' I don't bear malice. Say no more about it.

Thank you. You are very kind.

A nero, if ever there was one! And like a nero to deny it!