“Would you have any objection to telling me,” said Jimmy O’Loughlin, “what is it that you’re thinking of doing?”
“It’s Lord Manton’s plan,” said Mr. Goddard, “not mine. The fact is, we’re going to Rosivera to marry Mr. Red either to Miss Blow or Miss Farquharson.”
“And is that the reason you have the police gathered from the four corners of the county?”
“It is,” said Mr. Goddard.
“I wouldn’t wonder but you’re right. It’s ten to one he won’t care for the notion; not but what Miss Blow is a fine-looking young lady, and that’s what I’ve always said since the first time ever I set eyes on her.”
The street of Clonmore, the single street which runs from end to end of the village, presented a most unusual appearance when Miss Blow, followed by the other three ladies, emerged from the hotel. A long line of vehicles stretched from the door of the post-office to the barrack. There were two cars, each holding four policemen. They had their carbines between their knees and presented a most warlike and determined appearance. Next came a third car, Jimmy O’Loughlin’s, with two policemen on one side of it, the side left vacant being intended for Mr. Goddard. Behind it was Lord Manton’s dogcart. Jimmy O’Loughlin was on the back seat, Lord Manton sat beside the groom in front. Next came the waggonette with Mrs. Patsy Devlin in it. The acting sergeant and the constable who had arrived on bicycles stood beside their machines immediately behind the waggonette. They formed a kind of rear-guard, and could be counted on to frustrate any attempt which Mr. Red might make to attack the party from behind.
An eager crowd thronged the footpaths and broke into a cheer when the ladies appeared.
“Miss Blow, Miss Farquharson and ladies——” said Mr. Goddard, when the noise of the cheering had subsided.
“We thought you were murdered too,” said Mrs. Dick.
“Kindly do not interrupt me,” said Mr. Goddard. He felt that he was at last in a position to assert himself even in the face of Miss Blow. A man acquires self-confidence when he is in command of an armed force.