“It is—delicate. Have I your permission to speak?”
“Why, John, yes”.
“Well then—is O'Hara to be an Admiral?”
“Old Pat? Hardly, I think. He may. But no—I don't think. Poor old talky-talky. He has worked hard for us, John: and his fund of experience, in one way and another, has been invaluable. Well, I don't know: I have had the idea, but I don't suppose that, in reality—Still, I am fond of him, John. Such a tongue, and such a versatile brain, is he! He was my comfort for many a sombre day in prison—”
Listening near with rancid grin behind some greenery, O'Hara kept nodding emphatic assents of satisfaction to Hogarth's praise.
“But, stop”, said Loveday: “do you know why he was in prison?”
“He was innocent”.
“Of what?”
“Of stealing some diamonds entrusted him by the Pope”.
“Bah! he lies. His trial was a cause célèbre, and hence the false name he gave me at first: the moment I heard you say 'O'Hara' I knew the man. He had committed an assault upon a lady in a train—”