―Do you know why those fellows scut? I will tell you but you must not let on you know.

―Tell us, Athy. Go on. You might if you know.

He paused for a moment and then said mysteriously:

―They were caught with Simon Moonan and Tusker Boyle in the square one night.

The fellows looked at him and asked:

―Caught?

―What doing?

Athy said:

―Smugging.

All the fellows were silent: and Athy said:

―And that’s why.