“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.”

A couple of minutes sufficed to exchange the full-dress regimentals for undress uniform, covered by military greatcoat, then Ralph hurried out just as the excise officer came up.

“We are going to have a damp march of it, Mr. Fitzgibbon,” Ralph said.

“All the better, sir.  There will be a thick mist on the hills that will hide us better even than night.  There is a moon at present, and as likely as not they will have a boy on watch.  Are you ready, sir?”

“Quite ready.  Attention!  Form fours!  March!” and the little party started.

“How far are we going?” Ralph asked the revenue officer.

“About seven miles, sir.  It’s about half-past three now; we shall be there somewhere about six.  It does not begin to be light until seven, so there is no particular hurry.”

“I hope you know the way, Mr. Fitzgibbon?  It is so dark here I can scarcely see my hand.  And if we get into the fog you talk about it will be as black as ink.”

“Oh, I know the way,” the officer said confidently.  “We keep along the road for two miles, then turn up a track leading up a valley, follow that for three miles; then branch to the right, cross over one or two slight rises, and then follow another slight depression till we are within a hundred yards of the place.  I could find my way there with my eyes shut.”

“That sounds easy enough,” Ralph said; “but I know how difficult it is finding one’s way in a fog.  However, we must hope we shall get there all right.  Sergeant, have the men got anything in their haversacks?”