carriage to Dublin, the Nationalist paying
ninepence extra for the privilege, the Unionist sacrificing the
advantages conferred by his first-class ticket. The judge, who was
going in a different train, put his head into the window of their
compartment and urged them to settle their political differences by a
similar compromise. He made a habit of being festive and jocular when
he was on holiday, and he particularly enjoyed poking fun at the
inhabitants of foreign countries.

In the breakfast car of the train which carried him westwards he came
into contact with a Local Government Board inspector. This gentleman
was extremely reticent for a long time, and was only persuaded to talk
in the end when the judge assured him that he was a complete stranger
in Ireland, and was not a newspaper correspondent. Then the inspector
talked. He told a series of amusing tales which were all of them true,
but which Sir Gilbert regarded as inventions. He had to change his
carriage at Athlone, and parted from the inspector with great regret.
For the rest of his journey he was alone. It was his first visit to
the part of Ireland he was travelling through, and he looked with keen
interest at the bogs, the scattered cottages, the lean cattle, scanty
pasture lands, potato fields, patches of oats, and squalid towns.

At Donard Station, which is the terminus of this branch of the railway,
and the nearest station to Ballymoy, he got out. He had telegraphed to
the hotel for luncheon, and given orders that a car should be ready to
drive him over to Ballymoy, He was accosted on the platform by two
strangers. He eyed them with some surprise. The one was a shabby,
red-haired clergyman, with a bristling moustache and a strikingly
battered hat. He looked about thirty years of age. The other was a
slightly older man, dressed in a seedy grey suit and a pair of
surprisingly bright yellow gaiters.

"Sir Gilbert Hawkesby, I presume?" said Meldon.

"Yes," said the judge; "I am Sir Gilbert Hawkesby."

"This," said Meldon, "is my friend Dr. O'Donoghue, medical officer of
health for the Poor Law Union of Ballymoy, a man greatly respected in
the neighbourhood for his scientific attainments and the uncompromising
honesty of his character. I need scarcely remind you, Sir Gilbert,
that the two things don't always go together."

Dr. O'Donoghue bowed and took off his cap.

"And you?" said the judge. "May I ask who you are?"

"It doesn't really