“It’s perfectly simple. Just walk forward beside her and smile. That’s all that’s wanted. The band will be playing at the time and nobody will notice you much. Now, I think everybody understands thoroughly what to do, and there’s no reason why the proceedings shouldn’t be a flaming success in spite of the conduct of the Lord-Lieutenant.”
“What about the Lord-Lieutenant?” said Father McCormack. “I’d be glad if I knew what the reason is of his not coming to us when he promised.”
“The reason’s plain enough,” said the Major. “He evidently has some common sense.”
“As a matter of fact,” said Dr. O’Grady, “the exact contrary is the case. What Lord Alfred says is that he wouldn’t come because he found out at the last moment that there was no such person as General John Regan. I don’t call that sensible.”
“I was thinking all along,” said Father McCormack, “that there was something queer about the General.”
CHAPTER XX
Doyle came out of the hotel bringing the illuminated address. Dr. O’Grady took it from him and carried it over to Lord Alfred.
“Just take this,” he said.
Lord Alfred looked at the address doubtfully. It was very large, and seemed an awkward thing to carry about.