It is not often I get a rise out of you, O'Connor." "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.