“And one that has money to spare,” added Constable Moriarty. “It could be that he’s one of the bosses of the Congested Districts Board. Them ones is well paid and has motors kept for them along with their salaries, so they tell me anyway.”
Then Mary Ellen came out of the hotel. She stood at a little distance and smiled pleasantly at Constable Moriarty. Doyle turned on her.
“What is it that you want now, Mary Ellen?” he said. “Why aren’t you within attending on the gentleman?”
“Sure I am,” said Mary Ellen.
“You are not,” said Doyle. “Don’t I see you standing there grinning at Constable Moriarty?”
“He’s after asking for his dinner,” said Mary Ellen.
She referred of course to Mr. Billing. The suggestion that she was grinning at Moriarty was unworthy of her notice.
“And if he is,” said Doyle, “why don’t you give it to him?”
“What’ll I give him?”
“Give him chops,” said Doyle. “And if there’s no chops in the house—and there may not be—run across to Kerrigan the butcher and ask him for a couple. It’ll be quicker than killing a chicken; but that’s what you’ll have to do in the latter end if Kerrigan has no chops.”