Page 174 - The snake's pass

162 — the snake's pass.
I always managed to get back before daylight, so as
to avoid any questioning. After three or four days, how-
ever, the "boots" of the hotel began evidently to notice
the state of my clothes and boots, and ventured to speak
to me. He cautioned me against going out too much
alone at night, as there were two dangers—one from
the moonlighters who now and again raided the district,
and who, being composed of the scum of the country-
—
side "corner-boys" and loafers of all kinds—would be
only too glad to find an unexpected victim to rob ; and
the other, lest in wandering about I should get into
trouble with the police under suspicion of being one of
these very ruffians.
The latter difficulty seemed to me to be even more
obnoxious than the former; and to avoid any suspicion
I thought it best to make my night wanderings known to
all. Accordingly, I asked Mrs. Keating to have some
milk and bread and butter left in my room each night,
as I would probably require something after my late
walk. When she expressed surprise as to my movements,
I told her that I was making a study of the beauty of the
country by night, and was much interested in moonlight
This last was an unhappy setting forth of my
effects.
desires, for it went round in a whisper amongst the ser-
vants and others outside the hotel, until at last it reached
the ears of an astute Ulster-born policeman, from whom
I was much surprised to receive a visit one morning. I
asked him to what the honour was due. His answer
spoke for itself :