“It’s true.”
“If the ammunition was such a crime, why not arrest Mrs. Slaney, and earn the thanks of us all?”
“Ah, there you have me. Look.” He walked over to the window and pointed to a large building opposite. “Irish Office. Causes us more trouble than all the Shinners put together. We can’t arrest half the people we would like to because of them. They tie us hand and foot. The public is so sentimental. Women can always get interest roused, and questions asked in Parliament. Yet we know the women are as deeply in it as the men. Oh, we know all that is to be known about them; but we’ve got to leave them alone.”
“I see. Then you intend to keep my husband?”
“I don’t know about that. Mrs. Slaney’s son should communicate with us soon, and if he can establish his claim to the stuff, your husband will be released. Do you know any one who would be ready to answer for him?”
I mentioned 47’s name, and he became interested. “He’s away now,” I said, “or I would have gone to him at once.”
“He’ll not be back for some weeks,” said the man. “If he can vouch for your husband, it will be all right.”
“Some weeks! My poor man will be dead by then.”
“Not he. He’s very comfortable where he is. You can send him in anything you like. He has others with him, and they’re all very happy.”
“There’s nothing more that I can do?”