“Yes, yes,” I interrupted, “tell me of that again, what of the maid?”
“I was coming to her,” he said, reproachfully. “Well, as I have said, she was with the Governor for an hour. There were tear traces on her cheeks when she went in, but a smile on her lips when she came out. I remember because I heard a bird----”
“Never mind the bird,” I hastened to say. “She was smiling----”
“Yes, but why do you break in on me? I was telling of the smile. She was all happiness, and in her hand she had a paper, sealed with the great seal of the Colony, and with the Governor’s own signet. Then, as she was going down the steps, having thrust the document into her bodice, she was met by a man.”
“By a man?” I shouted. “What manner of man?”
“Why, he was a man. I remember he was a man because----”
“Aye, aye, because he was a man,” I cried, all on fire. “Never mind how you recall it, but tell me, quickly, as if you had but another minute to live, what manner of man he was.”
“Why, you are in great haste,” said the clerk, “you leave me no thoughts.”
“Never mind your thoughts,” I said, “tell me who was the man?”
“Why, none other than Sir George Keith,” he answered, gazing with mild wonder at me. “I remember it was because I knew him well, having often seen him at the Governor’s house.”