ose, he would spread the news over half London. No
consideration would have been great enough to bridle the tongue of the
little gossip from use of the first bit of news which he had ever
received warm from the fire. Besides, after his behaviour in front of
the enemy, I was quite certain that an imparting of my news could do
nothing in the way of impairing his inefficiency. Consequently it was
not necessary to trouble him with dramatic details.

"As to the part of the adventure which took place in the garden, you
are consistently silent, I observe, sir," said the Doctor.

"I am," said I. "I come of a long line of silent ancestors. My father
was particularly notable in this respect."

"And yet, sir," rejoined the Doctor, "I had gained an impression that
your father was quite willing to express himself in a lofty and noble
manner on such affairs as attracted his especial notice."

"He was that," said I, pleased. "He was indeed. I am only wishing I
had his talent for saying all that was in his mind so fast that even
the priest could not keep up with him, and goodness knows Father
Donovan was no small talker."

"You prove to me the limitations of science, sir," said he. "Although
I think I may boast of some small education of a scientific nature, I
think I will require some time for meditation and study before I will
be able to reconcile your last two statements."

"'Tis no matter," I cried amiably. "Let it pass."

For the rest of that week there was conference following conference at
the "Pig and Turnip" and elsewhere. My three companions were now as
eager as myself for the advent of the critical Sunday when I, with
Paddy and Jem, were to attempt our visit to Strammers's
flower-gardens. I had no difficulty in persuading the Doctor that his
services would be invaluable at another place; for the memory of the
blunderbuss seemed to linger with him. I had resolved to disguise
myself slightly, for I had no mind to have complications arising from
this gardener's eyes. I think a little disguise is plenty unless one
stalks mysteriously and stops and peers here and there. A little
unostentatious minding of one's own affairs is a good way to remain
undiscovered. Then nobody looks at you and demands: "Who is this
fellow?" My father always said that when he wished to disguise himself
he dressed as a common man, and although this gained him many a hard
knock of the fist and blow of the stick from people who were really
his infe