“Well, I haven’t,” said Lord Alfred. “I don’t see what business it is of yours whether I have or not; but anyhow, I haven’t.”
“None at all? You wouldn’t know one tune from another?”
“No, I wouldn’t. And now will you tell me——”
“I’ll tell you anything you like when this business is over. I haven’t time to enter into long explanations now. The people are beginning to get very impatient.”
Young Kerrigan, with his bandsmen grouped around him, was standing a little below the police barrack. Dr. O’Grady walked quickly over to him. He told him to be ready to begin to play the moment he received the signal.
“And—— listen to me now,” he said. “You’re to play some other tune, not the one I taught you.”
“I’m just as glad,” said young Kerrigan. “It’s equal to me what tune I play, but Thady Gallagher—What tune will I play?”
“Anything you like,” said Dr. O’Grady. “Whatever you know best, but not the one I taught you. Remember that.”
He left young Kerrigan, and hurried over to where Major Kent, Father McCormack and Mrs. Gregg were standing together near the statue.
“We’re now going to unveil the statue,” he said, “and everybody must be ready to do his part. Father McCormack, I want you to take charge of Mary Ellen. In the absence of the Lord-Lieutenant she’ll pull the string. You’re to see that she does it when I give the word. Then you must go across to the door of the hotel and keep a look out for Thady Gallagher. If he tries to make any sort of disturbance quell him at once.”