band instruments."

"What's happened to them?" said Hinde.

"You had a lot. Last time I saw your band it was fitted out with drums
and trumpets enough for a regiment."

"It's just them we're trying to get back."

"If anyone has stolen them," said Hinde, "I'll look into the matter and
do my best to catch the thief for you."

"Nobody stole them," said O'Farrelly; "not what you'd call stealing,
anyway; but it's our belief that the police has them."

"You're wrong there," said Hinde. "The police never touched your
instruments, and wouldn't."

"They might not if they knew they were ours. But from information
received we think the police took them instruments the time they were
suppressing the Manchester Martyrs beyond the Lisnan, the instruments
being lent to them footballers at that time."

"I remember all about that business," said Hinde. "I was there myself.
But we never saw your instruments. All we took away with us was two
old footballs and a set of rotten goal-posts. Whatever happened to
your instruments, we didn't take them. I expect," said Hinde, "that the
Manchester Martyr boys pawned them."

O'Farrelly sat silent. It was unfortunately quite possible that the
members of the football club had pawned the instruments, intending, of
course, to redeem them when the club funds permitted.

"I'm sorry for you," said Hinde. "It's awkward for you losing your drums
and things just now, with this demonstration of yours advertised all
over the place. You'll hardly be able to hold the demonstration, will
you?"

"The demonstration will be held," said O'Farrelly firmly.

"Not without a band, surely. Hang it all, O'Farrelly, a demonstration is
no kind of use without a band. It wouldn't be a demonstration. You know
that as well as I do."

O'Farrelly was painfully aware that a demonstration without a band is a
poor business. He rose sadly and said good night. Hinde felt sorry for
him.

"If the police had any instruments," he said, "I'd lend them to you. But
we haven't a band of our own here. There aren't enough of us."

This assurance, though it was of no actual use, cheered O'Farrelly. It
occurred to him that though the police had no band instruments to
lend it might be possible to borrow elsewhere. The Loyal True-Blue
Invincibles, for instance, had a very fine band, well supplied in every
way, particularly with big drums. O'Farrelly thought the situation
over and then called on Jimmy McLoughlin, the blacksmith, w