"I suppose she is in an English way," I replied, shrugging.
"It's not because she is English that you feel like this?"
"I hope I should feel much the same if she was a Hottentot, sir."
"I wish all our young fellows were the same. Well, for your sake, I'll see that she comes to no harm. I presume, however, that you are quite sure she is not really a spy? Very serious, just now, you know."
"My cousin is, and she has known her many years."
"Then why doesn't the girl go home?"
"It's her one absorbing wish, sir. She has been trying for months to get permission, but von Erstein has managed to stop it."
He nodded once or twice and leant back in his chair thinking until he glanced at the clock and rose. "Time's up. I must get back. I make a point of being back always to the tick. It's a hobby of mine. I'll think over all you've told me, for I'm interested in it; far more so than you may imagine. I'll make an inquiry or two about this Miss Caldicott, and if it's all right, she shall go home. You can tell your cousin so. But it's a long way and a bad time for her to travel alone."
"I don't think she would mind that a bit, sir."
"You make a very earnest champion, my boy; but let me give you a hint. Don't let any one else get the same idea. I mustn't take you away with me now, unless you wish to make an enemy of my wife. You must stay and be heroized for a while. Now mind, don't fail to come to me, if you're in any sort of difficulty," he said.