"Lieutenant Galesworth, what is the meaning of all this? What do you propose doing with my father and Captain Le Gaire?"
"Did they send you to me to find out?"
"No; father merely supposed I was going to my own room after something I needed."
"And Le Gaire?" I insisted.
She looked at me frankly, her eyes utterly fearless.
"We have scarcely spoken, and--and he certainly would never have advised my coming to you. I came of my own volition, because--well, because you claimed this was all a service to me. I--I do not understand what you meant, or--or why you hold us prisoners."
I thought I saw light now. She forced herself to be angry with me, but face to face was unable to carry out the programme.
"Will you come up here, Miss Billie?" I asked. "Let us take this settee a moment, and I will endeavor to explain. We are alone here, and I would not care to talk freely before the others. I prefer them to think this is purely a military affair, don't you?"
She hesitated, biting her lip, and standing motionless. My hand was extended, but she ignored it, yet, after a moment, she stepped up beside me, her hand on the settee.
"It--it is not a military affair then?"