“Probably bolted,” said the Major. “If Ford’s news is true that’s the only thing for the doctor to do.” “He was with me half-an-hour ago,” said Doyle, “taking a look round at the luncheon and the rest of it. He went away back to his house to clean himself. If he knew——but he didn’t.” “I’ll go and see him at once,” said Father McCormack. “You’ll find that he’s cut and run,” said the Major. “You needn’t go, Father,” said Doyle, “for Thady Gallagher’s just after going to him, and I see him coming back at the far end of the street this minute.” Thady Gallagher pushed his way through the crowd which had gathered thickly at the lower end of the square. It was plain from the way he elbowed the people who stood in his way that he was in a very bad temper indeed. He strode up to the Major’s trap and began to speak at the top of his voice. “Let me tell you this, gentlemen,” he said: “if you deserve the name of gentlemen, which you don’t, that the conspiracy which you’re engaged in for insulting the people of this district by means of a tune——” He appeared to be addressing himself particularly to Major Kent, whom he evidently regarded as, next to the doctor, the chief conspirator. The Major disliked being abused. He also shrank from complicated situations. He foresaw that an argument with Gallagher about a tune which might be played if the Lord-Lieutenant did not fail to keep his appointment, was likely to be a confused and highly complex business. He touched his pony with the whip and drove away in the direction of Doyle’s yard, where he usually put up his trap. “Have sense, Thady,” said Father McCormack appealingly. “I will not have sense,” said Gallagher. “Why would I have sense when——” “Did you speak to the doctor?” said Doyle. “I did not, but if I had——” “The Lord save us and deliver us,” said Doyle in despair. “He’s gone, the way the Major said he would.” “What are you talking about?” said Gallagher. “The doctor’s shaving himself.” “Are you sure of that?” “I am sure. Didn’t I go through the house till I found him? Didn’t I open the door of the room he was in? Didn’t I see him standing there with a razor in his hand?” “And what did he say to you, Thady? Did he tell you——” “He told me to get along out of that,” said Gallagher. “It’s likely he’d heard the news. He’d never have said the like of that to you, Thady, if he hadn’t been upset about something.” “What’ll we do at all?” said Doyle. “There’s the statue to be paid for and the dress for Mary Ellen and the luncheon. It’s ruined we’ll be, for where will we get the money?” “I had my mind made up,” said Gallagher, “to speak out plain to the doctor about the tune the band’s to play. I had my mind made up to tell him straight what I thought of him. And to tell him what I thought of the whole of you.” “Be quiet, Thady,” said Father McCormack. “Don’t you know——”