“It’s all right about that the band won’t play that tune at all. As it happens Lord Alfred has no ear whatever for music. That lets us out of what was rather an awkward hole. Young Kerrigan can play anything he likes, and so long as we all take off our hats, Lord Alfred’ll think it’s ‘God Save the King.’ Thady won’t be able to say a word.” “If that’s the way of it,” said Father McCormack, “I’ll do the best I can with Thady.” “Mrs. Gregg,” said Dr. O’Grady, “you can’t present that bouquet, so the best thing for you to do is to step forward the moment the sheet drops off and deposit it at the foot of the statue. Major——” “You may leave me out,” said Major Kent. “I’m merely a spectator.” “You’ll support Mrs. Gregg when she’s paying her floral tribute to the memory of the dead General.” “I’ll do no such thing.” “You must, Major. You can’t let poor Mrs. Gregg go forward alone.” “Please do,” said Mrs. Gregg. “I shall be frightfully nervous.” “But—but—hang it all, O’Grady, how can I? What do you mean?” “It’s perfectly simple. Just walk forward beside her and smile. That’s all that’s wanted. The band will be playing at the time and nobody will notice you much. Now, I think everybody understands thoroughly what to do, and there’s no reason why the proceedings shouldn’t be a flaming success in spite of the conduct of the Lord-Lieutenant.” “What about the Lord-Lieutenant?” said Father McCormack. “I’d be glad if I knew what the reason is of his not coming to us when he promised.” “The reason’s plain enough,” said the Major. “He evidently has some common sense.” “As a matter of fact,” said Dr. O’Grady, “the exact contrary is the case. What Lord Alfred says is that he wouldn’t come because he found out at the last moment that there was no such person as General John Regan. I don’t call that sensible.” “I was thinking all along,” said Father McCormack, “that there was something queer about the General.” CHAPTER XX Doyle came out of the hotel bringing the illuminated address. Dr. O’Grady took it from him and carried it over to Lord Alfred. “Just take this,” he said. Lord Alfred looked at the address doubtfully. It was very large, and seemed an awkward thing to carry about. “What is it?” he said. “It’s an illuminated address. We intended to present it to the Lord-Lieutenant, but of course we can’t when he isn’t here. You’re to take it, and hand it over to him next time you see him.” He pushed the address into Lord Alfred’s arms as he spoke.