She smiled at this description. "Yes," she said. "Do you mean that you are——"
"The tramp? I guess likely I am. I was over on your premises just a little while ago and met those two ladies."
"But you can't be. They said he—the tramp—was a dreadful, rough man, with a club and—and——"
"Here's the club." Captain Kendrick exhibited his cane. "And these lame legs of mine would account for that slouchy walk they told you about. I guess there isn't much doubt that I am the tramp. But I'm sorry if they thought I insulted 'em. I surely didn't mean to."
He described the meeting by the Eyrie and repeated the dialogue as he remembered it.
"So you see," he said, in conclusion, "that's all there is to it. I suppose that hint of mine about bein' tempted to run off with one of 'em is the nearest to an insult of any of it. Perhaps I shouldn't have said it, but—but it popped into my head and I couldn't hold it back. I didn't really mean it," he added solemnly. "I wouldn't have run off with one of 'em for the world."
This, and the accompanying look, was too much. His visitor had been listening and trying to appear grave, although her eyes were twinkling. But now she burst out laughing.
"Honest I wouldn't," reiterated Captain Sears. "And I'm sorry for that insult."
"Absurd! You needn't be. If there was any insult it was the other way about. The idea of Elvira's suggesting that you came over there to steal. Well, we've settled the tramp, at any rate, and I apologize for the way you were treated, Mr.——"
"Kendrick. My name is Kendrick."