lf than he has already."

"Get along home out of that, Moriarty," said the sergeant. "Do you want
me to have to report you to the District Inspector for neglect of duty?"

The threat was a terrific one. Moriarty quailed before it. He did not
actually go back to the barrack; but he retired to the background and
did no more than look reproachfully at Mary Ellen whenever he thought
she was looking his way.

"It's a great pity," said Dr. O'Grady, "that we haven't time to wash
her face. I might do something, even without soap and water, if I had
a pocket-handkerchief. Major, just lend me---- Oh hang it! I can't. Here
comes Billing with his camera. Pull yourself together now, Mary Ellen,
and try to look as if you were proud of your distinguished relative. It
isn't every girl of your age who has a General for a great uncle."

Mr. Billing approached. The corners of his lips were twitching in a
curious way. Dr. O'Grady looked at him suspiciously. A casual observer
might have supposed that Mr. Billing was trying hard not to smile.

"This," said Dr. O'Grady, pointing to Mary Ellen, "is the grandniece,
the only surviving relative, of General John Regan."

"You surprise me," said Mr. Billing. "When I recollect that she cooked
chops for my luncheon to-day I'm amazed."

"The General wouldn't have thought a bit the worse of her for that,"
said Dr. O'Grady. "A true democrat, the General, if ever there was one.
I daresay he often cooked chops himself, when campaigning I mean, and
was jolly glad to get chops to cook."

"So you," said Mr. Billing, addressing Mary Ellen, "are the grandniece
of the great General?"

"I might be," she said.

"And I am to have the privilege--gentlemen, please stand a little aside.
I wish to----"

Mr. Billing set up his camera and put his head under the black cloth.
Constable Moriarty sidled up to Major Kent. Nothing had been said about
Mary Ellen's marriage with young Kerrigan. He felt that he had been
unnecessarily alarmed.

"I beg your pardon, Major," he said, "but maybe if you asked the
gentleman he'd give me a copy of the photo when it's took."

"Talk to the doctor about that," said the Major. "He's managing this
show. I've nothing to do with it."

"I'd be backward about asking the doctor," said Moriarty, "on account
of what passed between us a minute ago when I thought he was wanting to
take away the girl's character."

Mr. Billing completed his arrangements and stood beside his camera re