"Sure, sor, I only told the truth once in me life, an' the ould judge sentenced me to thirty days."
[pg 197] "Well, you can have a pass—but, by the way, let me see that letter."
Malone hesitated, then handed the captain the black-bordered epistle. This the company officer carefully perused. A smile crept over his face as he remarked—"Look here, Malone, this is the same letter that Cameron, M'Haggis, and Muldoon showed me when they wanted leave for a funeral."
"Yis, sor."
"You pass this round, I suppose?"
"Yis, sor."
"Well, you won't pass it round any more, understand!" said the captain, tearing it up.
"Yis, sor," replied Malone, saluting smartly, and marching off to report to his cronies how the captain had collared this general service document.
Just as Captain Coronet reached the foot of the stairs he was met by Private Sneaky, a weedish-looking gent.
"Well?"