"
"Well, you did there fairly," the captain admitted, joining in the
laugh. "I thought for a moment you were serious."
"No," Ralph said. "I may make a fool of myself in other directions;
but I don't think I am likely to in that sort of way."
"Prior attachment--eh?" Captain O'Connor asked quizzically.
"Ah, that's a secret, O'Connor," Ralph laughed. "I am not going to lay
my heart bare to such a mocker as you are."
When they reached the village they found a body of twenty men drawn up
opposite their quarters.
"Is that you, O'Connor?" the lieutenant asked as the trap stopped.
"Just after you had gone the gauger came in and requested that a party
might accompany him at three o'clock this morning to hunt up a still
among the hills. I am glad you are back in time, as I did not like
going away without there being any one in charge here. It's a
nuisance; for it is just beginning to rain. However, it can't be
helped."
"I will go if you like Desmond," Ralph said, jumping down. "I should
like a good tramp this morning after that hot room."
"Are you quite sure you would like it?" the lieutenant asked.
"Quite sure. Beside, it's my turn for duty this morning; so that
really it's my place to go with them, if Captain O'Connor has no
objection."
"Not the least in the world, Conway. I don't suppose Desmond has any
fancy for tramping among the hills, and if you have, there is no
reason in the world why you should not go.
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