be mistaken. One tune's very like
another when it's played on a band."

"I am not mistaken," said Gallagher, who was beginning to feel
suspicious about the priest's evident desire to shelve the subject.

"And anyway," said Father McCormack, "it's Dr. O'Grady himself that
you'd better be speaking to about the tune."

"I will speak to him; but he's not here presently."

"Try Doyle then," said Father McCormack. "There he is coming out of the
hotel. I haven't time to go into the matter. I want to go over and look
at Mary Ellen."

He slipped away as he spoke, leaving Gallagher standing, sulky and very
suspicious, by himself. Doyle, who had no reason to think that anything
had gone wrong, greeted him heartily. Gallagher replied angrily.

"Do you know what tune it is that the band's going to play?" he said.

"You and your old tune!" said Doyle. "You had the life plagued out of me
about that tune. Can't you let it alone?"

"I will not let it alone, for----"

"Was it that you were talking to the priest about?"

"It was, and----"

"I thought it might have been," said Doyle, "by the look of him. Why
can't you have sense, Thady, instead of tormenting the whole town about
a tune?"

"It's my belief," said Gallagher, "that he knows more about the tune
than he'd care to own up to. He and the doctor is in the conspiracy
together."

"I'll not stand here listening to you talking disrespectfully about the
clergy," said Doyle with a fine show of indignation.

He felt that he was on doubtful ground in discussing the tune, which
might, for all he knew, be an objectionable one. It was a satisfaction
to be able to put himself definitely in the right by protesting against
Gallagher's tendency to anti-clericalism.

"I'd be the last man in Ireland," said Gallagher, "that would say a word
against the clergy, but when we get Home Rule--and that won't be long
now, please God----"

He paused impressively.

"Well," said Doyle, "what'll you do to the clergy when you get Home
Rule?"

"There's some of them that will be put in their places mighty quick,
them that's opposing the will of the people of Ireland behind their
backs."

"If you mean Father McCormack, Thady, you'd better go home before you've
said what you'll be sorry for."

"I'll not go home till I've told the doctor what I think of him."

"Well, go and see him," said Doyle. "He's in his house. When you come
back you can tell me what he says to you. That'll be better w