George A. Birmingham

“ Goddard was in his pyjamas and dressing-gown. He told Constable Moriarty to go into the yard and harness the horse while he shaved and dressed. He was inclined at first to be angry with the Members of Parliament. It is a stupid thing to get lost, and men have no right to be stupid. He did not want to spend the day searching bohireens and bog-holes. He wanted to play in the Ballymoy tennis tournament. He had engaged himself as partner to Mrs. Fielding, the Resident Magistrate's wife, and it vexed him to have to disappoint the lady. ”

“ There was men out searching all night from Pool-a-donagh, and Constable Cole and the sergeant took a look round when they were on patrol. They do say the ladies was in a terrible state. There was a mounted man came into Clonmore between three and four this morning, and Sergeant Farrelly sent me over to you on a bicycle the way you'd be able to tell him what he'd better do."
"I never heard of such a thing in my life," said Mr. Goddard. "How can they be lost? The thing is impossible. Hang it all! they must be somewhere." ”

“ Just outside Ballymoy, close to the Clonmore road, is the ground belonging to the tennis club. There are three courts and a galvanized iron hut, known as the pavilion. On club days, when some lady gives tea to the players, there are usually twenty or thirty people on the ground. On other days only a few enthusiasts go to the club. It happened that when Miss Blow came in sight on the road there was no one at the club except Mr. Goddard and Captain Fielding, the Resident Magistrate. ”

“ Goddard into the pavilion.
"What the devil——" he began.
Mr. Goddard took no notice of the remark. He was staring out of a small window which commanded a view of the road.
"What the——" said Captain Fielding again.
Mr. Goddard turned suddenly.
"Fielding," he said, "jump on your bicycle and ride like hell to my house. Don't lose a moment. Get a hold of my housekeeper, and tell her that if any lady calls she's to say I've gone away on leave and won't be back for six weeks. Don't stop to ask questions. I'll explain it all to you when you get back." ”

“ Bridgy heard it, and, for greater security, went into the yard and concealed herself in the cow byre. Miss Blow came downstairs and found Jimmy O'Loughlin. He had not thought of hiding, and was caught unawares.
"Is Mr. Goddard in the hotel?" she asked.
"He is not," said Jimmy. "It's himself was sorry to go; but there came a messenger over from Ballymoy, a police sergeant, to say he was wanting, and wanting badly. It might be cattle driving that's in it, or it might be a meeting about the land or maybe an eviction. They're a queer lot down in them parts. ”

“ Goddard—"and it's quite possible that I won't—if I'm not, you'll have to see them, sergeant. They're very nice ladies," he added, noticing a gloom on Sergeant Farrelly's face, "not the least like Miss Blow."
"It's a queer thing," said Sergeant Farrelly, "that a man could get lost between this and Pool-a-donagh. It's a straight road, and they got started right on it. Jimmy O'Loughlin was telling me last night that he seen them going through the town, and them heading straight on the same as if they knew the place all their lives. ”

“ Constable Moriarty promised to deliver the note to Captain Fielding. Mr. Goddard got into his trap and drove off. He had to pass the hotel on his way, and was half afraid that Miss Blow might sally out and seize the horse's head. She did not. It was not yet seven o'clock, and the blinds of all the upstairs rooms were drawn down. Miss Blow was, apparently, sleeping off the fatigue of the day before.
Mr. Goddard reached Clonmore at half-past eight. He found Sergeant Farrelly and Constable Cole at breakfast. They had been up all night, and were looking fagged, nervous, and harassed. ”

“ I'm going up to the Castle. I have business with Lord Manton. And look here, Jimmy, when Miss Blow arrives, if she does arrive, there'll be no need for you to say anything about my being here. It would only upset her. ”