She rose to her feet and gave a last glance round the sea-rim; but no smoke showed on the horizon. Then they made their way down the headland and back into the Friocksheim grounds. Douglas had finished his tennis, they found when they reached the courts; and as Cynthia had gone into the house to write a letter he was easily persuaded to go with Westenhanger and Eileen. As they walked through the gardens, the engineer puzzled Douglas by a request.
“Have you a thick scarf, Miss Cressage?”
“Yes.”
The girl’s face showed that she had no idea of what lay behind the inquiry.
“Well, would you mind getting it—and a pair of gloves. And then would you come to the Corinthian’s Room?”
She nodded without saying anything, and Westenhanger turned to Douglas.
“Your outfit, my lad, will be a pair of thin gloves, if you have them. Bring ’em to the Corinthian’s Room, and don’t keep Miss Cressage waiting. I’m going there myself direct.”
In a few moments they rejoined him.
“Now, Douglas,” he said, “your business is to stand in the corridor at present and detain any possible intruder by the charm of your conversation. Nobody’s to get into this room for the next five minutes. You’re a peaceful picket, you understand?”
Douglas grinned and retired into the corridor.