"I hope you did not think the thing too boorish to be pardoned. On the face of it it was rude to you—and the lady also."
"The circumstance—the coincidence—was so unusual that I did not stop to think of manners."
"The coincidence—what coincidence?" said Telford, watching intently.
But Hagar had himself well in hand. He showed nothing of his suspicions. "That you should be there listening, and that the song should be one which no two people, meeting casually, were likely to know."
"We did not meet," said Telford dryly.
They watched the crowd for a minute. Presently he added, "May I ask the name of the lady who was singing?"
There was a slight pause, then, "Certainly—Mrs. Fairfax Detlor."
Though Telford did not stir a muscle the bronze of his face went grayish, and he looked straight before him without speaking. At last he said in a clear, steady voice, "I knew her once, I think."
"I guessed so."
"Indeed? May I ask if Mrs. Detlor recognized my voice?"