"Did he do so much?" questioned Mark.
"Sure he did! You saw the Cathedral, didn't you, when you passed through the city? Well, the Padre built that, and the big college, too, the one you see from the train. He was president of the college. He was the life and soul of the Catholic Church in this section."
"Why was he dropped?"
"Search me," offered the detective. "No one knows that except the Bishop, I guess. Padre came here six months ago. Some of the young priests used to come to see him, but seldom any of the older ones. I got all I know from one of those young chaps--the one I told you I met on the train. He almost cried over the affair."
"It's sad enough to make any friend cry over it," said Mark; "but somehow it makes the man seem bigger to me."
"True." Saunders was clearly the Padre's admirer. "They say he had the best pulpit in London before he went over to the Catholics--big salary, and all that. Then he had to begin all over again as a layman. Went to school, by gosh!--dead game! But when they made him a priest he jumped right to the front. His last money went into the college he built. He has only five hundred a year to live on now. You know, Griffin, if it wasn't for the rotten way the Church treated him, I honestly believe the Padre could put some religion into me. He's a power here already. Look at the way he makes that girl at Killimaga work."
It seemed to Mark that the detective was beginning to fence again.
"She's a stranger, isn't she?" he asked.
The detective half closed his eyes. "How do you know?"
"You told me so."
Saunders blew a thoughtful smoke ring.
"I guess I did. You know, of course, Killimaga was rented to her about the time Padre came here. The old Irishman who built it, died, and his family went over to your country to buy a title for their only daughter. The girl up there must be a rich one to rent such an estate; and, Griffin, that old Irishman had taste, believe me. His gardens are a wonder. Ever see them?"
"No."
"Try to; they're worth while. This girl spends her money and herself on the Padre's charities. He directs, and she does things for the mill people. By gad, Griffin, they just love her! I passed her just now going into O'Leary's. The old man was crushed at the mill, and died yesterday. It's dollars to doughnuts she takes care of that family all winter. Where she gets the money is beyond me."