"I swear, Mr. O'Dowd."
"Then," said he, "I have no time to waste here. I am looking for a tin
box. I beg your pardon for disturbing you."
"Oh, Mr. O'Dowd, I shall never forget all that you have--"
"Whist, now! There is one thing I must insist on your forgetting
completely: all that has happened in the last five minutes. I shall
put no obstacles in your way. You may go with my blessings. The only
favour I ask in return is that you never mention having seen me to-
night."
"We can do that with a perfectly clear conscience," said Barnes. "You
are absolutely invisible."
"What I am doing now, Mr. Barnes," said O'Dowd seriously, "would be my
death sentence if it ever became known."
"It shall never be known through me, O'Dowd. I'd like to shake your
hand, old man."
"God bless you, Mr. O'Dowd," said the girl in a low, small voice,
singularly suggestive of tears. "Some day I may be in a position to--"
"Don't say it! You'll spoil everything if you let me think you are in
my debt. Bedad, don't be so sure I sha'n't see you again, and soon.
You are not out of the woods yet."
"Tell me how to find Hart's Tavern, old man. I'll--"
"No, I'm dashed if I do. I leave you to your own devices.
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