ould be certain to object. She's not the kind of lady who likes to see
other people enjoying themselves."

"He wouldn't do the like," said Mary Ellen.

"I wouldn't trust him," said Dr. O'Grady.

Moriarty was, in fact, waiting for Mary Ellen about a hundred yards from
the gate of the Greggs' house. Dr. O'Grady rebuked him sharply. Moriarty
asserted that he was engaged in patrolling that particular road in
simple obedience to the call of duty.

"That may possibly be true," said Dr. O'Grady, "though it doesn't sound
likely."

"It was the sergeant gave me my orders," said Moriarty.

"Patrol some other road, then," said Dr. O'Grady. "You're not wanted
here."

"What the sergeant said was that it would be better for me to patrol
along between Mr. Gregg's house and Mr. Ford's, so that if either the
one or the other of them was to see me he'd know that I was patrolling.
I wouldn't say a word against Mr. Gregg, who's a nice gentleman enough,
and easy pleased. But it's hard to pacify Mr. Ford, and the sergeant
thought----"

"I can tell you this," said Dr. O'Grady, "that if Mrs. Ford catches you
lying in wait for Mary Ellen on the road outside her house, it will be a
jolly sight harder to pacify Mr. Ford than it was before. Surely you can
understand that."

Moriarty understood it thoroughly. He was not very well pleased, but he
was a young man of considerable prudence, and was filled with a sincere
desire to rise in his profession. He spent the rest of the afternoon in
patrolling a road at the other end of Ballymoy.

Dr. O'Grady hurried on. His next stop was at the door of Kerrigan's
shop. The elder Kerrigan was leaning against the wooden slab on which he
was accustomed to cut up joints. He was smoking a pipe.

"Where's your son?" said Dr. O'Grady.

"He's within in the back yard," said Kerrigan.

"Tell him I want to see him."

"I'm not sure can he come to you; for he's taking the skin off a sheep
that he's just after slaughtering."

"Let him wash his hands," said Dr. O'Grady. "The sheep can wait."

"I'm not sure will he come," said Kerrigan. "He's not overly much
pleased with you this minute, doctor, and that's the truth."

"What's the matter with him?"

"It's on account of your saying that he was thinking of getting married
to Mary Ellen."

"It was Gallagher said that. I'd nothing to do with it one way or the
other."

"I wouldn't be minding myself what you said," said Kerrigan, "knowing
well that you wou