"Well, I can't exactly go back on them now when they're doing what we said they ought to do. I've got to see the thing through. After all it's my fault that those poor fellows are in this horrible mess."
He glanced back as he spoke. He was thinking of the angry crowd we had left behind us.
"So you'll take care of the ladies," he said. "Run them down to Castle Affey and make yourself as comfortable as you can. They won't be expecting you, but they'll manage some sort of dinner."
"I'm not going," I said. "I'm staying on in Belfast."
"But why should you? You've no responsibility. You've never taken any part in our--It's very good of you to think of staying. It really is. And I appreciate the spirit in which--But--"
"For goodness' sake, Moyne," I said, "don't give me credit for any kind of heroism. That _noblesse oblige_ attitude of yours doesn't suit me a bit. It isn't in my line."
"But hang it all, Kilmore, you can't be staying here for the fun of it."
"I've often told you," I said, "that I'm writing a history of the Irish Rebellions. I naturally want to see one, and there isn't likely to be another in my time. That's my only reason for staying in Belfast."
We found Lady Moyne waiting for us when we reached the hotel. She was wearing a long cloak, and had a motor-veil tied over her head. She was evidently prepared to start at once.
"I've ordered the car," she said. "It ought to be round now. Marion's coming with me, Lord Kilmore. I think she'd be better out of Belfast for the next few days."
The news of the decision of our committee seemed to have spread with quite unexampled rapidity. We came straight from the meeting, and we found that Lady Moyne had already recognized the necessity for flight.
"I'm glad you're going," said Moyne, "and I'm glad you're taking Marion with you. But how did you know? Who told you what--?"
"That young man who's Mr. Conroy's secretary," said Lady Moyne. "I forget his name."
"He came in to see Marion, and he told us."
Bob must have known beforehand what the committee's decision was to be. I realized that Conroy must have had the whole plan cut and dried; that the meeting at which Moyne presided was simply a farce. However, there was nothing to be gained by discussing that.