Despite the smooth voice and the eternal smile there was an undernote of rebuke in the words, as of a teacher who reproves a child for tardiness.  And, meekly, Standish replied: 

“I’m sorry.  I was detained at Miami.  And lunch was late.  I got here as soon as I could.  I—­”

With an impatient little wave of one white hand.  Hade checked his excuses and dismissed the subject.  In the same moment his snakelike black eyes fixed themselves on Brice whom he seemed to notice for the first time.  The eyes were smiling.  But he granted the guest no further form of salutation, as he asked abruptly: 

“Where have I seen you before?”

“You saw me last night,” returned Gavin. still wondering at this man’s dictatorial attitude toward the aggressive Milo Standish and at Milo’s almost cringing acceptance of it.  “I was at the Standishes.  I was just starting for bed when you dropped in.  Miss Standish introduced—­”

“I’m not speaking about last night,” curtly interrupted Hade, though his voice was as soft as ever and his masklike face was set in its everlasting smile.  “I mean, where did I run across you before last night?”

“Well.  Mr. Bones,” answered Gavin with flippant insolence, “Dat am de question propounded.  Where did you-all run acrost me befo’ las’ night?”

Milo and Roke stirred convulsively, as if scandalized that any one should dare speak with such impudence to Hade.  Rodney himself all but lost the eternal smile from his thin lips:  and his voice was less suave than usual as he said: 

“I don’t care for impertinence, especially from employees.  You will bear that in mind.  Now you will answer my question.  Where did I see you?”

“If you can’t remember,” countered Gavin. “you can hardly expect me to.  I live in New York.  I have lived there or thereabouts for a number of years.  I was overseas—­stationed at Bordeaux and then at Brest—­for a few months in 1918.  As a boy I lived on my father’s farm in northern New York State, near Manlius.  That’s the best answer I can give you.  If it will make you recall where you’ve seen me—­all right.  If not I’m afraid I can’t help you out.  In any case what does it matter?  I don’t claim to be anybody especial.  I have no references.  Mr. Standish knows that.  If he’s willing to give me some sort of job in spite of such drawbacks. it seems to be entirely his affair.”

“The job I had—­have—­in mind for you,” spoke up Milo. at a glance from Hade, “is on this key, here.  I need an extra man in the main storehouse to oversee the roustabouts there.  At this season Roke is too busy outdoors to keep the right kind of eye on them.  The pay won’t be large to start with.  But if you make good at it.  I may have something better to offer you on the mainland.  Or I may not.  In any case.  I understand this is only a stopgap for you, and that you are down here for your health.  If you are interested in the idea, well and good.  If not—­”