John McHugh's grandfather worked for Major Hellas, Landlord Dunacoye Templeboy. The old man told John the following tale which happened while he was in Hellas' employment.
At that time the Railway from Dublin to the West was built only to Longford and people going to Dublin had to walk or drive to Longford.
Old Johnny McHugh & most of the workmen in Hellas's were in the Fenian movement & they had discovered that their pass word, "What are you up to Mike," was known to Hellas and then probably to others outside the Fenian movement.
Just at this time Hellas set out in his coach to Longford on his way to Dublin, & the workmen believed that he was going specially to reveal the password to the British authorities in the Castle.
On his way to Longford he saw a man coming along the road. He ordered