g out about that tune is to go and ask young Kerrigan what it
is. The boy's a decent boy, and he'll tell you if you speak civil to
him."

"I'll do that same," said Gallagher, "and if I discover----"

"You'd better be quick about it then," said Doyle, "for the committee
is to meet at half after one and I wouldn't like you'd miss the
proceedings."

"Come along with me," said Gallagher. "I wish you to hear the way I mean
to talk to young Kerrigan."

Doyle did not want to listen to Gallagher browbeating young Kerrigan,
but he realised that he would save time and a long argument if he went
at once. He made a last appeal to Mary Ellen to collect at least the
corks which were on the floor. Then he went out with Gallagher. In the
porch of the hotel they met Major Kent who was a scrupulously punctual
man, on his way to the committee meeting.

"You're a bit early, Major," said Doyle. "But if you'll step into the
commercial room you won't have long to wait. Thady and I have to cross
the street on a matter of business but we'll be back in less than five
minutes. The doctor might be here any time and I see Father McCormack
coming along from the presbytery."

Doyle was unduly optimistic. He was not back in five minutes. He did
not, indeed, get back for nearly half an hour.

Kerrigan, very red in the face, and rather exhausted, was still
blowing vigorously into his cornet when Gallagher and Doyle entered the
back-yard. Gallagher went straight to business without wasting any time
on preliminary politeness.

"Will you stop that blasted noise," he said.

Kerrigan took the cornet from his lips and gazed at Gallagher in extreme
surprise.

"Speak civil to the boy," said Doyle.

"What tune is that?" said Gallagher.

"What Mr. Gallagher's meaning to say," said Doyle, "is that party tunes
is unsuitable to this locality where the people has always lived in
peace and harmony, Protestant and Catholic together, and respected one
another. That's what Mr. Gallagher means, and if Constable Moriarty
didn't annoy him it's what he'd say."

"It's a tune the doctor taught me," said young Kerrigan, "and it's a
fine tune, so it is."

"What's the name of it?" said Gallagher.

"That," said young Kerrigan, "is what I was meaning to ask the doctor
next time he happened to be passing but if you're in a hurry to know,
Mr. Gallagher, you can ask him yourself. It's likely you'll be seeing
him before I do."

Young Kerrigan's words were perfectl