noon
Joe Rix had commented upon his speed of hand , and the Pedlar had complimented the little man on his dress . But at lunch not a word was spoken about Donnegan even after she had dexterously introduced the subject twice . Why the sudden silence ? Between morning and noon Donnegan must have grievously offended them . Fear for his sake stimulated her ; but above and beyond this , indeed , there was a mighty feminine curiosity . She smelled the secret ; it reeked through the house , and she was devoured by eagerness to know . She handpicked Lord Nick 's gang in the hope of finding a weakness among them ; some weakness upon which she could play in one of them and draw out what they were all concealing .