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 can it? I don't deny that I had a drop taken, but I wasn't drunk. I could have looked after her all right if I'd been in time, but I wasn't."

"And why weren't you?"

"Oh, you know how these things go. I thought there was lots of time. I didn't want to spend half the night listening to her groaning."

"It's damned lucky for you that you are my nephew, let me tell you that. If you were any other man, you'd go. Do you hear? You'd better be mighty careful."

"If you like, I'll go to Father Tom to-morrow, and swear off the whiskey."

"You might," said Mr. Sweeny, "and you'd be none the worse if you did. But there's another thing I want to speak to you about. Get the cork out of that bottle, and fill the glasses. That's right. Now, come over here near me. I don't want to be talking loud."

Dr. Henaghan drew his chair up to his uncle's elbow, and listened attentively. Mr. Sweeny spoke at some length in a hoarse whisper. When he had finished, the doctor said:

"It's risky!"

"It'll be a deal more risky for you if I bring an Inspector down to inquire into Mrs. Gannon's death."

"I don't see what I get out of the business. Why don't you get someone else?"

"I can't trust anyone else. If the thing got out