women-servants of the hotel. Chief among them was Vic, who kept her eyes
fixed on Old Roses. She knew that he was to read the address and speak,
and she was more interested in him and in his success than in Lord Malice
and his suite. Her admiration of him was great. He had always treated
her as though she had been born a lady, and it had done her good.

"And I call upon Mr. Adam Sherwood to speak to the health of His
Excellency, Lord Malice."

In his modest corner Old Roses stretched to his feet. The Governor
glanced over carelessly. He only saw a figure in grey, with a rose in
his button-hole. The Chairman whispered that it was the owner of the
house and garden which had interested His Excellency that afternoon.
His Excellency looked a little closer, but saw only a rim of iron-grey
hair above the paper held before Old Roses' face.

Then a voice came from behind the paper: "Your Excellency--"

At the first words the Governor started, and his eyes flashed
searchingly, curiously at the paper that walled the face, and at the
iron-grey hair. The voice rose distinct and clear, with modulated
emphasis. It had a peculiarly penetrating quality. A few in the room
--and particularly Vic--were struck by something in the voice: that it
resembled another voice. She soon found the trail. Her eyes also
fastened on the paper. Then she moved and went to another door. Here
she could see behind the paper at an angle. Her eyes ran from the
screened face to that of the Governor. His Excellency had dropped the
lower part of his face in his hand, and he was listening intently. Vic
noticed that his eyes were painfully grave and concerned. She also
noticed other things.