g an article in his
paper next week saying how much we appreciate the dear old General.
Aren't you, Thady?"

"I am, of course," said Gallagher.

Then, lest he should be committed any further, Gallagher slipped away
and joined Major Kent and Doyle. They were standing together near the
motorcar in high debate as to whether the price of the filly was to
be L30 or L34. The Major had abated one pound of the price he asked at
first. Doyle had, so far, resisted every effort to induce him to make
an advance upon his original offer. They were both enjoying themselves
greatly. But Gallagher interrupted them.

"The doctor knows all about him," he said, "thanks be to God he's----"

"She's a filly," said Doyle, "and I know as much about her as the doctor
does."

He had for the moment forgotten his American guest, and was thinking
only of the animal which Major Kent was trying to sell him.

"It's the General I'm talking about," said Gallagher in an aggrieved
tone, "and the doctor says there's to be an article on the paper about
him next week. But if there is the doctor may write it himself. It'll be
easy for him seeing he knows who the General was."

"He does not know any more than the rest of us," said Doyle. "Didn't he
say a minute ago he was a well-known millionaire?"

"He knows now, anyway," said Gallagher, "and what's more he says that
the Urban District Council has been talking about erecting a statue to
him."

"Erecting a statue to who?" said the Major.

"To General John Regan, of course," said Gallagher.

"But sure there was no such talk," said Doyle, "not that I heard of,
anyway."

"There was not," said Gallagher, "but there will be now; and there might
have been. There's no denying that there might have been."

"Doyle," said the Major anxiously. "We must finish settling the price of
the filly later on. I'm nervous, I'm confoundedly nervous about what the
doctor may be doing. You never know what wild idea he may take into his
head, or what he may let us all in for."

"He's all right," said Gallagher. "Don't I tell you he's arranging with
the American gentleman?"

"He may be getting us all into some mess or other. You never know what
the doctor will be at. He's so infernally imaginative."

Mr. Billing and Dr. O'Grady had left the door of the hotel. They were
standing together in the middle of the square almost opposite the police
barrack. Major Kent hurried towards them. Doyle and Gallagher followed
him s