It is true the strangers did not reside with the Hogans, but in a small
cabin adjacent to that in which Finigan taught his school. Much of the
same way of thinking was honest Teddy Phats, whom they had now also
abandoned, or rather completely cast off, and, what was still worse,
deprived of the whole apparatus for distillation, which, although
purchased by Hycy Burke's money, they very modestly appropriated to
themselves. Teddy, however, as well as Kate, knew that they were never
cautious without good reason, and as it had pleased them to cut him, as
the phrase goes, so did he, as Kate had done, resolve within himself to
penetrate their secret, if human ingenuity could effect it.
In this position they were when honest Philip returned, as we have said,
after a fortnight's absence, from some place or places unknown. The
mystery, however, did not end here. Kate observed that, as before, much
of their conversation was held aloof from her, or in such enigmatical
phrases and whisperings, as rendered the substance of it perfectly
inscrutable to her. She observed, besides, that two of them were
frequently absent from the kiln where they lived; but that one always
remained at home to make certain that she should not follow or dog them
to the haunt they frequented. This precaution on their part was uniform.
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