ely to in that sort of way."

"Prior attachment--eh?" Captain O'Connor asked quizzically.

"Ah, that's a secret, O'Connor," Ralph laughed. "I am not going to lay
my heart bare to such a mocker as you are."

When they reached the village they found a body of twenty men drawn up
opposite their quarters.

"Is that you, O'Connor?" the lieutenant asked as the trap stopped.
"Just after you had gone the gauger came in and requested that a party
might accompany him at three o'clock this morning to hunt up a still
among the hills. I am glad you are back in time, as I did not like
going away without there being any one in charge here. It's a
nuisance; for it is just beginning to rain. However, it can't be
helped."

"I will go if you like Desmond," Ralph said, jumping down. "I should
like a good tramp this morning after that hot room."

"Are you quite sure you would like it?" the lieutenant asked.

"Quite sure. Beside, it's my turn for duty this morning; so that
really it's my place to go with them, if Captain O'Connor has no
objection."

"Not the least in the world, Conway. I don't suppose Desmond has any
fancy for tramping among the hills, and if you have, there is no
reason in the world why you should not go."

A couple of minutes sufficed to exchange the full-dress regimentals
for undress uniform, covered by military greatcoat, then Ralph hurried
out just as the excise officer came up.

"We are going to have a damp march of it, Mr. Fitzgibbon," Ralph said.

"All the better, sir. There will be a thick mist on the hills that
will hide us better even than night. There is a moon at present, and
as likely as not they will have a boy on watch. Are you ready, sir?"

"Quite ready. Attention! Form fours! March!" and the little party
started.

"How far are we going?" Ralph asked the revenue officer.

"About seven miles, sir. It's about half-past three now; we shall be
there somewhere about six. It does not begin to be light until seven,
so there is no particular hurry."

"I hope you know the way, Mr. Fitzgibbon? It is so dark here I can
scarcely see my hand. And if we get into the fog you talk about it
will be as black as ink."

"Oh, I know the way," the officer said confidently. "We keep along the
road for two miles, then turn up a track leading up a valley, follow
that for three miles; then branch to the right, cross over one or two
slight rises, and then follow another slight depression till we are
within a hundr