“As the poet says: Great minds are very near to madness ,” said Mr. Fogarty.

Mr. Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind. He made an effort to recall the Protestant theology on some thorny points and in the end addressed Mr. Cunningham.

“Tell me, Martin,” he said. “Weren’t some of the popes⁠—of course, not our present man, or his predecessor, but some of the old popes⁠—not exactly⁠ ⁠… you know⁠ ⁠… up to the knocker?”

There was a silence. Mr. Cunningham said: