CHAPTER VI.
Meldon opened the door of Mr.Doyle's private sitting-room without knocking and walked in.

The hotel keeper and Dr.O'Donoghue were sitting at opposite ends of the table, with a bottle of whisky and a jug of water between them.

Doyle, who was placed with his back to the door, spoke without looking round.
"Didn't I tell you, Sabina Gallagher," he said, "that if you came into this room, interrupting me and the doctor, I'd cut the two ears off you, and send you back to your mother with them in a box in the well of the car?
Did I tell you that or did I not?
And now nothing will do you but to fling open the door as if the Lord-Lieutenant and the rest of them playboys beyond in Dublin Castle was--" The expression of Dr.O'Donoghue's face made Mr.Doyle pause.

He turned and saw Meldon standing on the threshold.
"Be damn!" he said, "if it isn't Mr.Meldon.

The Major was telling me last week he was expecting you.