Inwardly relieved, Armitage grinned broadly.
"I like that chief," he said. "He is so secretive. But Mrs. Wellington can't be pleased at having a Navy man masquerading about. Why hasn't she discharged me?"
"I can't imagine," said Miss Hatch frankly, "unless—yes, I think she has taken a liking to you. Then, for a woman of her mental processes, discharging you off-hand, come to think of it, would be the one thing she would not do. I think she is interested in awaiting developments. I am sure of it, for she commanded me to speak to no one concerning your identity."
"Miss Wellington?" Armitage looked at the woman quickly.
"Her daughter was very particularly included in the orders Mrs. Wellington gave."
Armitage made no attempt to conceal the pleasure this statement gave him. Then a thought occurred to him.
"By the way," he said, looking at Miss Hatch keenly, "if I recall, you said you could not imagine why I am here. In view of all you have told me, why could n't you?"
Miss Hatch turned and walked toward the door. At the sill she glanced back over her shoulder and smiled significantly.
"Oh, that was an introductory figure of speech," she said. "I think, I think I can—imagine."
Then she turned and walking along the hall, with Armitage following, she sang as though to herself: