“’Deed, I don’t know how it all happened, but you’re out about Paddy. He did his best, I’m told, and there were two to second him. But the job had got wind, and Paddy got a shot in the arm before he could let fly. And they tell me the other two are taken.”
A cry of consternation went round the audience. “If Flanagan’s one of them—”
“The very boy.”
“It’ll be a bad job for us all, then, for Flanagan will save his skin if twenty others swing for it. Where is he?”
“At Knockowen for the night.”
“No news of Tim Gallagher?”
“Not a word. It’s a wonder what’s keeping him. He’s badly wanted.”
“’Deed, you may say so. He’s the only gineral we have.”
“As for Flanagan,” said some one else, “I’m thinking he may not have toime to turn king’s evidence. They’re making quick work of the boys now. Is there no getting him away out of that before he tells?”
“Knockowen’s guarded like a fort, with a troop of horse quartered in it.”