He was interrupted by a hurried knock at the outer door.
Barbara gave a slight scream and ran across the hall, but Captain Protheroe was at the door before her.
"Pardon me, madame, I must see to this," he said sternly.
He flung the door wide, standing himself in its shadow, and Peter Drew, the smith, rushed quickly into the hall.
"Ah, Mistress Barbara," he exclaimed breathlessly, not noticing her sign to him to be cautious, "the villain hath escaäped me, and I can't faind no traäce of un anywhere."
"Very much my case, my friend," interrupted the captain, shutting the door quickly, and confronting the astonished smith with a quiet smile. "But what may be the name of this same escaped villain?"
Peter gasped at him stupidly.
"Come, fellow, out with it," cried the captain sharply.
The smith glanced at Barbara and shook his head.
"I don't know," he muttered sulkily.