Captain Protheroe turned to Barbara.
"May I—er—advise you, madame, to order this reluctant henchman of yours to be more speedy in his replies."
"You may tell the captain all you know, Peter," she said after a moment's hesitation. "Methinks 'twill not greatly enlighten him."
"'Tweren't nobbut a certain hawker, your honour. Her ladyship bid me keep un zaäfe till marnin' zo I fastened un oop zafe i' my farge. But when I were awai—er—awai on my biznez thicey marnin' my waife, plague on a meddlezome fingers, zay I, muzt needs oppen door, to zee, forzooth, whai it were zhut, and zo the fellow hath vled."
"Good! Why was this hawker to be thus secured?"
"He had angered me, sir," interrupted Barbara haughtily.
"Ah! summary justice, madame," answered the captain, laughing. "But hardly, methinks, within the measure of the law."
"I care nought for the law."
"So I can well believe. But come, I must know a little more concerning this hawker."
"That you cannot, sir," answered Barbara calmly. "For the simple reason that Peter knows no more, and I, who do know, do not purpose to tell you."