“I am afraid you did not sleep well last night, dear,” Mrs. Royal remarked, as she gave her an affectionate kiss.  “It must have been the storm which disturbed you.”

“I did not mind it,” was the reply.  “I have restless nights sometimes, and last night was one of them.  But I shall be all right presently.”

Parson Dan said nothing to any one about the idea which had come to him concerning the noted singer.  But the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his suspicion was well grounded.  He watched her very carefully, and noted her special interest in Rod.  Another thing which confirmed his belief was the stopping of all letters from Rod’s mother as soon as Miss Royanna arrived at Hillcrest.  In her last one she had stated that she expected to be away for a number of weeks, and would be unable to write until her return.  The parson’s mind was greatly puzzled over the whole matter.  If the famous singer was really the boy’s mother, why did she not say so?  Was there something which she wished to keep hidden?

He also watched the two when they were together, and as he studied their faces, he was sure that he could see a remarkable resemblance.  No one else noticed it, so he believed, and not likely he would have done so but for the idea which had come to him that day he was driving along the road.  Several times he was tempted to discuss the whole affair with his wife in order to find out if she had suspected anything.  He always delayed, however, hoping that something of a more definite nature would turn up to set his doubts at rest.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE TROOPS DECIDE

A few days after the big thunder-storm, Captain Josh received an official letter from the Provincial Secretary of the Boy Scouts.  It was so important that he at once called his own scouts to Headquarters that he might place the whole matter before them.  The boys were naturally curious to know why they had been so hurriedly summoned, and they accordingly lost no time in getting together.

The captain, seated at a little table, with the open letter before him, seemed much puzzled, and all waited anxiously for him to speak.

“Boys,” he began, looking keenly into their faces, “I’ve got a strange letter here from the Provincial Secretary.  He tells me that in two weeks’ time the Lieutenant-Governor wants to meet all the troops in the province, review them, and give the prize which was offered last year.  Now, we all know about that, and so are not surprised.  But the Governor wants to come to Hillcrest to hold the Review, and so the secretary asks me to make arrangements, that is, if I agree to the plan.  They will all come from the city on the mornin’ boat, bring their lunches with them, and, hold the Review near the wharf.  Now, what d’yez think about that?”