've no statue
erected to the memory of the General. I'd have thought----"

"The matter is under discussion," said Dr. O'Grady. "Our Urban District
Council is alive to its duty in the matter. At the last meeting--let me
see now, was it the last meeting? Gallagher! Thady Gallagher! Come here
for a minute."

Thady Gallagher, who had been acting as umpire in an animated wrangle
between Doyle and Major Kent, shambled across to the door of the hotel
where Dr. O'Grady and Mr. Billing were standing.

"Was it the last meeting of the Urban District Council," said Dr.
O'Grady, "or was it the last but one, that you were discussing the
erection of a statue to General John Regan?"

He did not venture to wink as he asked the question, but Gallagher was
quite quick-witted enough to give the proper answer.

"It was the last meeting," he said.

"There was a slight difference of opinion among the members," said Dr.
O'Grady, "as to the form which the memorial was to take. Some of them
wanted a life-size statue in white marble. Mr. Gallagher here was more
in favour of a drinking fountain. It was you who wanted the fountain
wasn't it, Thady?"

"It was," said Gallagher.

"As a cheaper form of memorial," said Dr. O'Grady, "so as to spare the
rates as far as possible."

"That's right," said Gallagher.

"If you will allow me to say so," said Mr. Billing, "the question of
expense ought not to be allowed to stand in your way. I myself will
gladly promise----"

Mr. Billing hesitated for a moment. It was not clear whether he meant to
promise a handsome subscription or merely to say that he would help in
collecting the necessary money. Dr. O'Grady thought it well to assume at
once that a subscription had been promised.

"Good," he said, "take note of that, Thady, and announce it to the Urban
District Council at the next meeting. Mr. Billing will hand over his
subscription to the treasurer as soon as one is appointed. You can
arrange about a proper vote of thanks being passed."

Mr. Billing seemed quite pleased at this interpretation of his
unfinished sentence. He went on to make another promise.

"And I think I may safely guarantee," he said, "on behalf of the people
of Bolivia----they can never forget----"

"They oughtn't to," said the doctor. "After all he did more for them
than he ever did for us."

"He was born here," said Mr. Billing, "and that's something to be proud
of."

"And we are proud of it. Thady Gallagher is havin