I will just say that it was a bit of a scrimmage I got into, with two or three of the street rascals; and the thing is so common that no one is likely to ask any further questions about it." After the parade was over, O'Neil and O'Sullivan came up to Desmond's quarters.
"Now, Master Kennedy, we have come to receive your confession.

We gave you credit for being a quiet, decent boy, and now it seems that you and that man of yours have been engaged in some disreputable riot, out all night, and coming in on two strange horses, which, for aught we know, have been carried off by force of arms." Desmond laughed.
"As to the horses, you are not so far wrong as one might expect, O'Neil.

We rode them this morning from Versailles." "From Versailles!" O'Neil repeated.

"And what, in the name of all the saints, took you to Versailles! I am afraid, Desmond, that you are falling into very evil courses.
"Well, tell us all about it.

I shall be glad to be able to believe that there is some redeeming feature in this strange business." Desmond laughed, and then said, more seriously, "Well, I have had an adventure.