322 GARRYOWEN 



they pulling him along! And he a teetotaller! 

 How on earth did Moriarty do it? " 



" I heard them in the yard," said the girl. 

 " They dragged him into the loose- box next to 

 the one The Cat's in and shut the door. After 

 a while I heard him laughing and singing — and 

 now look at him! " 



" After them," said Mr Dashwood, " and let's 

 see what they'll do with him." 



He led the way down hill. When they reached 

 the road the others were a couple of hundred 

 yards ahead. The wind blowing from them 

 brought the songs and shouting of the convivial 

 one, on whom, now, the extra stimulus of the cold 

 night air was acting. 



"I've seen a good many drunken men," said 

 French, " but, begad! this fellow takes the cake. 

 Look, he's trying to fight now ! Now they've got 

 him between them again. Come on and let's 

 see what Moriarty is going to do with him." 



They followed up hill to the village street. 

 Here in the moonlight, before the highly-respectable 

 cottage bearing the tin sign inscribed, " County 

 Police," the trio stopped, Moriarty chnging to 

 his charge whilst Andy rang the bell. 



Mr Boiler, the Crowsnest constable, had not yet 

 started on his night rounds. He was drinking 

 a cup of coffee in the bedroom upstairs when the 

 summons came. Opening the window, he put 

 his head out. 



" Wbo's there? " asked the constable. 



