Frederic Goodwyn-Sandys cannot fail to appreciate our sterling
Admiral. Dear, dear, here they come! I do trust dearest Lavinia has
not put herself in too conspicuous a position at the parlour window.
What a lot of people, to be sure!"

The crowd had gathered volume during its passage through the town,
and the "Conquering Hero" was more distractingly shrill than ever.
The goal was almost reached, for "The Bower" stood next door to Alma
Villas, and was divided from them only by a road which led down to
the water's edge and the Penpoodle ferry boat.

"Why, everybody is here," said Miss Limpenny, "except, of course, the
Vicar. There's Pharaoh Geddye waving a flag, and blind Sam Hockin
and Mrs. Hockin with him, I declare, and Bathsheba Merryfield, and
Jim the dustman, and Seth Udy in the band--he must have taken the
pledge lately--and Walter Sibley and a score I don't even know by
sight. And, bless my heart! that's old Cobbledick, wooden leg and
all! I thought he was bed-ridden for life. But I don't see the
arrivals yet. I wonder who that poor man is, in the crowd--it can't
be--and yet--Why, whatever is the Admiral doing?"

For Admiral Buzza had opened his front gate and deliberately stepped
out into the road.

The stranger, dishevelled, haggard and bewildered, had long since
abandoned all attempts at explanation and fallen into a desperate
apathy, when all at once a dozen voices in front cried "Hush!"
The band broke off suddenly, and the cheering died away.

"Make way for the Admiral!" "Out of the road, there!"