George A. Birmingham

“ All I have to do if I want a particular man not to be appointed to anything is to write a strong letter in his favour to the Board of Guardians or the County Council, or whatever body is doing the particular job that happens to be on hand at the time. The League comes down on my man at once and he hasn't the ghost of a chance. That's the beauty of being thoroughly unpopular. Three years ago you were made dispensary doctor here chiefly because I used all my influence on behalf of the other two candidates. ”

“ Byrne was furious. That is just one of the things which makes me feel sure he's a genius. Nobody except a genius or a socialist would have sent a message of that kind to you; and he clearly isn't a socialist. If he was, he couldn't afford to pay six months' rent in advance for Rosivera."
Dr. O'Grady spoke confidently. He was not personally acquainted with any of the numerous men of genius in Ireland, but he had read about them in newspapers and was aware that they differed in many respects from other men. ”

“ It was Byrne's opinion that they contained pianos. The station-master, who had to drag them out of the train, agreed with him. Jimmy O'Loughlin and his man, who had ample opportunities of examining them on the way to Rosivera, thought they were full of machinery, possibly steam engines, or as they expressed it, "the makings of some of them motor cars."
"No man," said Lord Manton, commenting on this information, "even if his name happens to be Red, can possibly want twenty-five grand pianos in Rosivera."
"Unless he came down here with the intention of composing an opera," said Dr. O'Grady. ”

“ Byrne and I went up to the station to see it before Jimmy O'Loughlin carted it down to Rosivera. He seemed to think that it was another piano. Since then nothing of any sort has happened, and the people have pretty well given over talking about the man."
Lord Manton yawned. Like the other inhabitants of Clonmore he was beginning to get tired of Mr. Red and his affairs. A stranger is only interesting when there are things about him which can be found out. If his affairs are public property he becomes commonplace and dull. ”

“ There was no shooting connected with it nor any fishing of the kind appreciated by a sportsman. There were, it was believed, small flat fish to be caught in the bay, but no one thought it worth while to pursue these creatures earnestly. ”