There was a low wailing sound which troubled the midshipman, and he said quickly,—
“Can you not believe me? I did not come to frighten you; you frightened me.”
“Then, why are you here? How dare you break into our house. Oh, I know! I know!”
“Don’t cry,” he said. “I was obliged to come. It was by accident I came into this room. I was trying to find out about the smugglers.”
“And—and—you have not found out anything?” came in quick, frightened tones.
Archy was silent.
“Why don’t you speak, sir?”
“What am I to say? I am on duty. Yes, I have found out all I wanted to know.”
“Ah!” came again out of the darkness, in a low wailing tone.
“I wish you would believe me, that I am in as great trouble about it as you are.”