Leicester bowed, as if the words were meant seriously and had no covert sneer.
"By the way," he said, "are you aware that your window is wide open, and that there is a light burning in the room?"
"Perfectly," said the captain, who had quite forgotten the fact, "perfectly. I set it open to air the room, and the light was left to frighten the ghost."
"I will find some more effectual way of doing that," said Leicester, decisively. "Good-night."
"Good-night," said the captain, and Leicester, no nearer the truth as regarded the true character of the man he suspected, strode away.
The captain waited until his firm footstep had died out on the hard road, and then went softly to the back of the house.
With great care and circumspection, he drew his rope from the ivy and climbed to his room.