hat he was put to such a lot of
unnecessary trouble. If I'd had the least idea that he wouldn't have
understood about the General---- but I thought he'd have known. I still
think he ought to have known. But I won't say a word about that. Tell
him from me that I'm extremely sorry. And now, have you an ear for
music?"

"That's not an apology," said Lord Alfred. "I won't go back to His
Excellency and tell him---- hang it! I can't tell him all that stuff about
Venus and Hercules."

"I wish you'd tell me whether you have an ear for music or not. You
don't understand the situation because you haven't met Thady Gallagher.
But I can't ask you to unveil the statue until I know whether you've an
ear for music or not."

"I don't know what you mean, but----"

Dr. O'Grady made a click with his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
He was becoming very impatient.

"Well, I haven't," said Lord Alfred. "I don't see what business it is of
yours whether I have or not; but anyhow, I haven't."

"None at all? You wouldn't know one tune from another?"

"No, I wouldn't. And now will you tell me----"

"I'll tell you anything you like when this business is over. I haven't
time to enter into long explanations now. The people are beginning to
get very impatient."

Young Kerrigan, with his bandsmen grouped around him, was standing a
little below the police barrack. Dr. O'Grady walked quickly over to
him. He told him to be ready to begin to play the moment he received the
signal.

"And---- listen to me now," he said. "You're to play some other tune, not
the one I taught you."

"I'm just as glad," said young Kerrigan. "It's equal to me what tune I
play, but Thady Gallagher--What tune will I play?"

"Anything you like," said Dr. O'Grady. "Whatever you know best, but not
the one I taught you. Remember that."

He left young Kerrigan, and hurried over to where Major Kent, Father
McCormack and Mrs. Gregg were standing together near the statue.

"We're now going to unveil the statue," he said, "and everybody must
be ready to do his part. Father McCormack, I want you to take charge
of Mary Ellen. In the absence of the Lord-Lieutenant she'll pull the
string. You're to see that she does it when I give the word. Then you
must go across to the door of the hotel and keep a look out for Thady
Gallagher. If he tries to make any sort of disturbance quell him at
once."

"I'm willing to try," said Father McCormack, "and so far as Mary Ellen
is c