of the road where you left them, and now that I've given
them back to you I'll take no further responsibility in the matter."

The two sets of bandsmen were facing each other on the road. The
instruments were divided between them. They were uttering the most
bloodthirsty threats, and it was plain that in a minute or two there
would be a scrimmage.

"Jimmy," said O'Farrelly, "if the boys get to fighting----"

"I don't know," said Jimmy gloomily, "where the money's to come from to
buy new drums."

"It might be better," said O'Farrelly, "if we was to go home and leave
the instruments back safe where they came from before worse comes of
it."

Ten minutes later the instruments were safely packed again into the
cart. One of the Loyal True-Blue Invincibles led the horse. A Wolfe
Tone Republican sat in the cart and held the reins. Jimmy McLoughlin
and Cornelius O'Farrelly walked together. It was plain to everyone that
hostilities were suspended for the day.

"I'm thinking," said Jimmy, "that ye didn't hold your demonstration
after all. I hope this'll be a lesson to you not to be trying anything
of the sort for the future."

"For all your fine talk," said O'Farrelly, "you didn't stop us. And why
not? Because you weren't fit to do it."

"We could have done it," said Jimmy, "and we would But what's the use of
talking? So long as no demonstration was held we're satisfied."

"So long as you didn't get interfering with us, we're satisfied."

Mr. Hinde, walking behind the procession with his five police, had
perhaps the best reason of all for satisfaction.

VI. STARTING THE TRAIN

Tom O'Donovan leaned as far as possible out of the window of the railway
carriage, a first-class smoking carriage.

"Good-bye Jessie, old girl," he said. "I'll be back the day after
to-morrow, or the next day at latest. Take care of yourself."

Mrs. O'Donovan, who was not very tall, stood on tip-toe while he kissed
her.

"You'll have time enough to get dinner in Dublin," she said, "or will
you dine on the boat?"

"They give you a pretty fair dinner on the boat," said Tom, "and it's
less fussy to go on board at once."

She had said that to him before, and he had made the same answer; but
it is necessary to keep on saying something while waiting for a train to
start, and on such occasions there is very seldom anything fresh to say.

"And you'll see Mr. Manners to-morrow morning," she said, after a short
pause.

"Appointment for 1