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 boats were lowered. He himself, moved by curiosity, went in one of them, accompanied by Mr. Benson and three of the police. The other two police, Matty Hynes, and the bailiffs, were landed by the second boat.

"Now," said Mr. Benson, "off with you, Matty, and find your cattle."

"I'll not go a step," said Matty Hynes, "without you and the police along with me. I'd be in dread of them Geraghtys. They might be waiting somewhere unknown to me with sticks and stones and all sorts ready in their hands, or maybe worse. My life wouldn't be safe among them."

"I think I'll come too," said Lieutenant Eckersley, lighting a cigarette.

The possibility of a skirmish between the police and a force of ambushed Geraghtys excited him. The party proceeded cautiously toward the nearest cottage. Three of the police marched in front with their carbines in their hands. Matty Hynes and the bailiffs followed them. Then came Mr. Benson and the remaining police. Lieutenant Eckersley, with his cigarette, followed about five yards behind. The house was empty. So was the pigsty which stood beside it. Matty Hynes and the bailiffs examined the whole premises carefully.

"They'll be waiting for me beyond," he said, "wherever it is they have the beasts hid, and I'll trouble you, Mr. Benson, to see that no harm comes to me and the bailiffs. They're murdering villains,