“God help the poor Major,” said Doyle.
“But the traitors within the camp,” said Gallagher, “the men that is occupying positions in the gift of the people of Ireland, that’s taking our pay, and at the same time plotting contrivances for the heaping of insults on the dearest convictions of our hearts——”
Mary Ellen entered the room while Gallagher was speaking. Bewildered by the splendour of his eloquence she stopped short just inside the door and gazed at him with her mouth open. Doyle took advantage of a slight hesitation in Gallagher’s oration to speak to her.
“What tune is it, Mary Ellen?” he said.
“I couldn’t rightly say,” said Mary Ellen.
“Didn’t I tell you,” said Gallagher, “that there was underhand work going on?”
“What tune did Moriarty say it was?” said Doyle.
“He said it was a tune the doctor is after teaching young Kerrigan,” said Mary Ellen.
“What did I tell you?” said Gallagher. “Maybe you’ll believe me now.”
“The best thing for you to do, Thady.” said Doyle, “if you’re dead set on finding out about that tune is to go and ask young Kerrigan what it is. The boy’s a decent boy, and he’ll tell you if you speak civil to him.”