The Abbé turned his face toward me, and when I caught a glimpse of his eyes without spectacles, I recognized George Hamilton, and almost choked myself in smothering a cry.
Frances turned to me, asking indignantly, "Why did not you tell me?"
"Because I did not know," I answered, hardly able to believe the truth.
But we had important business before us, and I knew that we should prepare for it before Lilly came in. So George, Bettina, Frances, and I went to a window at the far end of the room to hold a consultation.
"Since I did not recognize you, perhaps Lilly will not," I suggested. "I trust the Doctor, but perhaps we had better leave him under the impression that you are Monsieur l'Abbé du Boise and give no intimation of the truth."
"I had not hoped that my disguise would deceive you, Baron Ned," said George, "but since it has, it is just as well that we leave Lilly in the dark if we can."
"But he will know. The stars will tell him," suggested Bettina, opening her eyes very wide.
"The stars will tell him what he is paid to hear," I remarked. Then turning to Frances, I asked, "How is it that you were able to recognize him?"
"By his eyes!" exclaimed Frances and Bettina in concert.
"That gives me a valuable hint," said George, hastily adjusting his colored spectacles. "Now, how about it?"