"Peter!" exclaimed Lord Otford, as soon as she was out of earshot, "Jack 's disappeared!"
The Admiral's conscience smote him uneasily. He knew the rascally Jack was in Doctor Sternroyd's house; he himself had helped to get him there; and here was the unfortunate father, his own bosom friend, in distress. What was he to do? Betray Jack? Impossible. No. He would see the matter through. At any rate, he would gain time.
"Serves you right," he growled.
Lord Otford was deeply hurt. "Did I say, 'Serves you right,' just now?"
"Just now?" repeated Sir Peter, not grasping his friend's meaning. Lord Otford pointed with his gold-headed cane to where the widow was examining the houses.
"Otford!" cried the Admiral, angrily; but his friend interrupted him impatiently. "Peter! He 's run away with that gel!"
"That he has n't!" replied Sir Peter, greatly relieved at being able to speak the truth for once. "The gel's here."
"Fact?" asked Lord Otford.
"Solemn," affirmed the Admiral.
Lord Otford strode up and down in deep thought. He brought himself up in front of the Admiral. There was evidently something more on his mind. "Peter," he said, "do you know who her mother is?"