THE DEVIL'S KITCHEN 87 



A boat-hook of ash and phosphor bronze lay at 

 her feet, and she seized it. 



]\Ir Giveen eyed the boat-hook. It did not 

 promise kisses on landing, but it was a very 

 efficient persuader, in its way, to a swift return. 



Now Mr French, that day after luncheon, had 

 ridden into Drumboyne about some pigs he was 

 anxious to sell. He had failed to come to terms 

 with the pig merchant and had returned out of 

 temper. 



In the stable-yard he met Moriarty. 



" If you plaze, sorr," said Moriarty, " I've just 

 heard from Doolan that Mr Giveen has taken the 

 young lady out in the boat." 



The contempt which Moriarty had for Mr Giveen, 

 and the dislike, were fully expressed in the tone of 

 his words. 



" You mean to say that damned fool has 

 taken Miss Grimshaw out in the dinghy? " cried 

 Michael French, letting himseK down from the 

 saddle. 



" Yes, sorr." 



" To blazes with Doolan ! What the — what the 

 — ^what the — did he mean not telling me! " 



" I don't know, sorr. Here he is himself. 

 Micky, come here. The master wants to speak 

 wid you." 



Mr Doolan, who was passing across the yard 

 with a tin basin of fowls' food — it had a wooden 

 handle, and he was holding it by the handle — 



