. If the treasurers are fools they lie in the banks and
nobody ever gets any good of them. But you're not a fool, Doyle."

"I am not; and of course, there has been balances of the kind you speak
of before now. I wouldn't say but--looking at the matter in that way--and
besides there'd be a commission from the fellow that got the contract
for the statue. And with regard to the L5 that my name's down for----"

"Come now, Doyle. Don't pretend to be stupider than you are. You know
perfectly well that every public fund has to be started by somebody with
a respectable looking subscription. I put it to you now as a business
man, did you ever hear of a case in which a subscription of that kind
was actually paid? It appears in the published list and it encourages
other people, but----"

"Say no more, doctor," said Doyle. "Say no more."

"I shall count on you then, Doyle, to help me in every way you possibly
can. It's all for your own good. And you won't be doing anybody any
harm."

"There's just one thing more," said Doyle.

"Out with it. And be as quick as you can. I've still got to soothe the
Major's scruples."

"If you don't mind my asking the question," said Doyle, "what are you
going to make out of it yourself?"

"That's a delicate point. I might tell you I'm going into the business
for the fun of the thing; but you wouldn't believe that."

"I would not," said Doyle, winking slowly.

"I was afraid you wouldn't. It's true, as it happens. That's just
exactly why I am running this statue. It offers me a little excitement
and variety. But as you won't believe it I'll have to make up some sort
of a lie that you will believe. I owe you about L60, don't I?"

"You do, doctor, but I'd be the last man in Ireland to press you for the
money if----"

"Very well. If I put L20 into your pocket over this statue, in addition
to the L7 10s. you're making on the filly, I'll expect you to stop
talking about what I owe you for the next six months. You see some sense
in that, don't you?"

"I do."

"And it satisfies you as a reason for my taking all the trouble that I'm
going to take."

"It does, of course. Why wouldn't it?"

"Very well. Believe it. But if the matter ever comes up again you'll
remember, Doyle, that I offered you the truth and you wouldn't have it.
I didn't attempt to impose on you with that lie until you insisted that
I should."

Doyle grinned. He did not for a moment believe that Dr. O'Grady was
going to gi