"You have been to visit your sister at the Manor House?" queried the captain.
The prisoner looked up haughtily.
"My past movements are my own affairs, sir; you and I are concerned with the present alone."
"I take you, sir," answered the captain quietly. "Moreover, I understand the reason of your presence here, and I honour you for it. It is irregular, of course, but under the circumstances, I cannot refuse to give you every satisfaction."
"Satisfaction!" exclaimed the prisoner in astonishment.
"Aye, sir. You doubtless understand me."
"Not I. I have no personal quarrel with you, that I know of."
"No quarrel! Then am I wrong in supposing you to be the brother of Mistress Barbara Winslow?"
"And what then, sir," demanded the prisoner sharply. "What of her?"
Captain Protheroe shrugged his shoulders.