George A. Birmingham

“ Miss Blow nodded and smiled again. The thought of a uniform comforted her. A man can hardly fail in his duty when he puts on a uniform for the express purpose of performing it. Mr. Goddard took courage from her smile.
"I shall tell my housekeeper," he said, "to bring you a cup of tea. I am sure you must need it. You can drink it while you are waiting. I shall have my horse harnessed and drive you back with me to Clonmore."
This time Miss Blow did not refuse the tea. ”

“ Miss Blow got out of the trap and went into the hotel. Mr. Goddard drove on to the police barrack.
He found Sergeant Farrelly and Constable Cole drawn up before the door. They had seen their inspector drive into the town and were ready for him. Mr. Goddard at once ordered the sergeant to follow him into the barrack. Constable Cole mounted guard over the horse and trap.
"Now, sergeant," said Mr. Goddard, "what have you to tell me about the disappearance of Dr. O'Grady?"
"There's another man gone since then, sir," said the sergeant gloomily. ”

“ Goddard quite as much as anything else did. He knew Lord Manton, and he could not understand how he came to believe, as apparently he did believe, in the murder of Dr. O'Grady. Mr. Goddard made up his mind that he would go up to Clonmore Castle and talk the whole matter over with Lord Manton. This was the solitary decision he was able to come to; though he was obliged to pledge himself over and over again to institute a strict search for the doctor's body. He arrived at last in Clonmore and drove straight up to the hotel.
"You must be very tired," he said to Miss Blow, "quite worn out. ”

“ I hope you will stay quietly in the hotel and rest till I see you again."
He spoke quite sincerely. He did hope that Miss Blow would go into the hotel and stay there. He feared that she might feel it necessary to follow him about and watch what he did.
"I shall inform you at once," he went on, "of everything which transpires. I must spend this evening in making some preliminary inquiries; but there is no necessity for you to fatigue yourself further." ”

“ I saw it."
"Well now, his lordship couldn't be believing that the doctor's murdered, and whatever made him write that note it's my opinion that there was something behind it. And what's more, Jimmy O'Loughlin says——"
"Damn Jimmy O'Loughlin!"
"Jimmy O'Loughlin says," went on the sergeant, "that his lordship knows something, be the same more or less, about Patsy Devlin. I wouldn't wonder now if he'd be able to tell you where the both of the two of them is gone and why."
"What about Patsy Devlin?" asked Mr. Goddard. "What sort of a man is he?"
"He's no great things any way you take him. ”

“ Constable Moriarty produced Lord Manton's note of complaint and handed it over to his officer. He explained that Sergeant Farrelly had called three times at Clonmore Castle and had waited in the hall for some hours in the hope of seeing Lord Manton. Mr. Goddard read the note and asked a number of questions. He succeeded in greatly embarrassing Constable Moriarty. That young man had the feelings of a gentleman. He would not say anything likely to cause pain or discomfort to a lady. He hesitated in his account of Miss Blow's invasion of the barrack. ”

“ He's a bit foolish at times, and takes more than is good for him. I hear them say that he fretted a deal when they didn't make him the inspector of sheep dipping. It might be that the disappointment preyed on him, that and the drink, so as he wouldn't be rightly responsible for what he did. ”