"It is not a police question," he said seriously. "It is to do—with—with yourself."
A merry peal of mocking laughter answered him.
"Come along now, come to the township with me before they get poor old Patsy where it would break his honest old heart to be."
She started her horse.
"Come along now," she called over her shoulder, flashing a mischievous glance back at him.
He had no alternative but to follow, and he cantered to her side.
"It would teach him a good lesson, Mrs. Burke, if you let him spend a few days in the lock-up," he said. "It would give him a chance to get really sober, whereas, if he keeps on getting drink, you will have him out of his mind."
"Now you're trying to frighten me, Mr. Durham. Sure, what sort of a man is it I've met this morning? I believe you'd like to see old Patsy inside a cell, and then maybe you'd be after me too."
"What would you give me? Six months hard or just a caution?"