“Yes,” commanded Stephen, “and tell him not to hurry on our account. Come, Caro, come! You’re not pining for his society. Well, wait then! I won’t!”
He marched angrily out of the room. His sister hesitated, her wish to follow complicated by a feeling of duty to a guest, no matter how unwelcome. The butler reappeared, looking puzzled.
“He’s not there, miss?” he said.
“Not there? Not in his room?”
“No, Miss Caroline. I knocked, and he didn’t answer, so I looked in and he wasn’t there. His bed’s been slept in, but he’s gone.”
“Gone? And you haven’t seen him?”
“No, miss. I’ve been up and about since half past seven, and I can’t understand where he could have got to.”
The door of the hall opened and shut. Edwards darted from the library. A moment afterwards Captain Elisha strolled in. He was wearing his overcoat, and his hat was in his hand.
“Good mornin’, Caroline,” he hailed, in his big voice. “Surprised to see me, are you? Ho! ho! So was the Commodore. He couldn’t understand how I got in without ringin’. Well, you see, I’m used to turnin’ out pretty early, and when it got to be most seven o’clock, I couldn’t lay to bed any longer, so I got up, dressed, and went for a walk. I fixed the door latch so’s I could come in quiet. You haven’t waited breakfast for me, I hope.”
“No; it is ready now, however.”