"I will be very discreet, father," replied Nellie, as she left the library.
In a few moments she returned.
"He has gone, father; though he is very tired," said she.
"I suppose he is; but I don't want to believe that Don John is a thief even over one night," replied the captain.
"He asked me what you wanted of Don John; but I didn't tell him."
The father and daughter discussed the painful suspicion until Donald arrived, and entered the library with Edward. A conversation on indifferent topics was continued for some time, and the boat-builder wondered if he had been sent for to talk about the launch of the Maud, which was now an old story.
"How is the wind, Edward?" asked Captain Patterdale.
"'Sou'-sou'-west, half west," laughed Edward, who understood precisely what his father meant by his question; and bidding Donald good night, he left the library, without the formality of saying he would go and see which way the wind was.
"You know which way the wind is, Nellie; and so you need not leave," added the captain, as she rose from her seat to follow the example of her brother.
"So did Ned, for he told you," she answered.