CHAPTER XXV
At ten o’clock next morning Jimmy O’Loughlin entered the commercial room of his hotel. Miss Blow was breakfasting by herself. Miss Farquharson, who had finished her breakfast an hour earlier, was writing letters at one end of the long table, having folded back the white cloth. Mrs. Dick and Mrs. Sanders were still in their bedrooms, mourning for their husbands.
“There’s five police after coming into the town from Ballymoy,” said Jimmy excitedly; “and it’s what I’m after hearing from Moriarty that there’s more expected.”
Miss Blow looked up from her breakfast. Her face expressed irritation and incredulity.
“It’s the truth I’m telling you,” said Jimmy. “Begad, but Mr. Goddard’s the fine man.”
“You told us last night,” said Miss Farquharson, “that Mr. Goddard had vanished like every one else. Has he appeared again?”
“He never was lost, thanks be to God! He was up with Lord Manton beyond at the Castle, devising plans and concocting stratagems for the settling of the matter that’s been troubling you; and settled it’ll be now the one way or the other.”
“I know the sort of plans he and Lord Manton would be likely to devise,” said Miss Blow, scornfully. “I’ve had some experience of them.”
She poured out a cup of tea as she spoke and devoted herself to her breakfast. Bridgy burst into the room. She appeared to be in a condition of violent excitement.
“There’s four police on a car,” she said, “driving up to the barrack, and two more along with them on bicycles.”