“I’ll do that same,” said Gallagher, “and if I discover——”
“You’d better be quick about it then,” said Doyle, “for the committee is to meet at half after one and I wouldn’t like you’d miss the proceedings.”
“Come along with me,” said Gallagher. “I wish you to hear the way I mean to talk to young Kerrigan.”
Doyle did not want to listen to Gallagher browbeating young Kerrigan, but he realised that he would save time and a long argument if he went at once. He made a last appeal to Mary Ellen to collect at least the corks which were on the floor. Then he went out with Gallagher. In the porch of the hotel they met Major Kent who was a scrupulously punctual man, on his way to the committee meeting.
“You’re a bit early, Major,” said Doyle. “But if you’ll step into the commercial room you won’t have long to wait. Thady and I have to cross the street on a matter of business but we’ll be back in less than five minutes. The doctor might be here any time and I see Father McCormack coming along from the presbytery.”
Doyle was unduly optimistic. He was not back in five minutes. He did not, indeed, get back for nearly half an hour.
Kerrigan, very red in the face, and rather exhausted, was still blowing vigorously into his cornet when Gallagher and Doyle entered the back-yard. Gallagher went straight to business without wasting any time on preliminary politeness.
“Will you stop that blasted noise,” he said.
Kerrigan took the cornet from his lips and gazed at Gallagher in extreme surprise.
“Speak civil to the boy,” said Doyle.