Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 119: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

117 * * * * * a” * * Michael Martin, a wild young Irishman, plays a dangerous prank when, in 1817, he holds up Lord Devereaux’s factor, Angus Desmond, intending to distribute his rent money among the poorer members of the “‘ Five Minus One,” a Leinster secret society. The leader, Regis Donnell, expels him. Wanted for the capital offence of highway robbery, Michael leaves Ballymoure—and Catherine O’ Herlihy, the black-hatred vil- lage beauty whose affections had till now seemed equally divided between the sober Regis and the reckless Michael. On iis way, he falls in with the famous gentleman of the road, Captain Doherty, who takes Michael to Nine Steps, the thieves’ kitchen of Dublin, where Big Tom and Mahony stand guard. There he grooms Michael for the part of Captain Lightfoot, and introduces him to Lady Anne More, who runs the Mansion, Doherty’s gambling-house. Michael also meets Doherty’s natural daughter, Araminta McDonald, whose pro- vocative beauty and lively ways attract him strongly. In avenging himself on the trouble-making Sir George Bracey, Doherty pays heavily for his success, and dies from iis wounds. Michael then takes over, assisted by Lady Anne, and by Trim, Doherty’s faithful servant. After a duel, in - which his treacherous rival, Captain Hood, proves to be a coward, Michael. becomes the acknowledged leader of under- world and aristocracy alike—as feared by Clagett the informer as he 1s respected by the Lords Clayton and Clonmel. In this exciting world Michael forgets his love for Cather- ine, and marries the gay and giddy young Ara. Gradually a slight rift grows between them. Meanwhile Dublin Castle shows a sinister interest in Michael’s affairs. As the Third (and last) Part opens, urgent warning of trouble ts brought by Big Tom... a: QS 8. 8 * * * Brady got down to business and said, ‘“‘ Mick, we need money.” * Good,” said Michael. ‘‘ How much? ” Tim lowered his head and held his hands over his ears as Brady replied: ‘‘ We are hard pressed. ‘ Five Minus One’ needs two hun- dred guineas.”’ Without a word, Michael rose, took the amount from a drawer in the cabinet, and handed it to Brady, who tucked it away with a bow, and Tim stared, open-mouthed again, at Michael, and his awe returned, and he could not bring himself to say a word. A wave of melancholy swept over Michael and he fell to thinking of Ballymoure. ‘* We must leave at once,”’ said Brady quickly. ‘‘ Take advantage - comichooks.com