lows hang together. The sight of two
soldiers in uniform there would be sure to attract attention. Choose a
man you can rely on to play his part cleverly. I tell you to take your
side-arms, because I happen to know that there are men about who, if
they suspected your mission, would not have the least hesitation in
knocking you on the head. This is no question of finding a still,
sergeant, but of making the capture of one of the most desperate bands
in the country; and it is well worth taking the utmost pains and
precaution to insure everything going well."

"I understand, sir. I will take Pat Hogan with me; he has plenty of
the brogue, and can talk the language too. So if any one should speak
to us as we go along he can do the talking, and no one will suspect
that we are not a couple of countrymen."

"That will do very well, sergeant. It is just seven o'clock now. If
Lieutenant Adcock is in when you get there you ought to be back, well,
before ten. It's about four miles by road. I would borrow a couple of
heavy sticks if I were you. I don't think it at all likely there will
be any occasion to use them, but it is just as well to be prepared.
If, when you get near the village, or on your way back, you come
across any one who questions you inquisitively, and seems to you to be
a suspicious character, I authorize you to make him prisoner and bring
him over with you. Knock him down if he attempt resistance. You may as
well take a pair of handcuffs with you and a short coil of rope. The
object of the rope is, that if you capture any one on your way to the
village you had better handcuff him, gag him, and tie him up securely
to a tree or some other object at a distance from the road, and pick
him up as you come back. I need hardly say that you are not to go into
any house in the village, not to speak to any one beyond what is
absolutely necessary."

"I understand, sir, and you can rely upon me to carry out your
orders."

"You had better fetch Hogan in here, sergeant. Tell him what he has to
do before you bring him in, then we can see the disguises on you both;
and it's better for you to start from an inn, where people are going
in and out, than from one of the houses where you are quartered."

The landlord returned with the disguises almost immediately after the
sergeant had gone out, and in a few minutes the latter came in with
Hogan. The greatcoats were put on, the hats substituted for military
caps, and with the colla