Von Klausen had keyed himself for heroics; Muriel had been on the verge of fainting; but Stainton's tone reassured them both. The Austrian, nevertheless, made for the door: to face disaster was one thing; to court it quite another.
"I have indeed remained late," he said. "I hope that I have not bored your good wife."
"Oh," answered Stainton, patting Muriel's pale cheek, "I am sure that my good wife has been entertained. Haven't you, dear?"
Muriel opened her lips. She stammered, but she managed at last distinctly to say:
"Captain von Klausen has been very kind."
"I thank you," said von Klausen, with his Continental bow.
"What's your hurry?" persisted Jim.
"You have said, sir, that it is late."
"Not so late that you can't stop a few minutes more."
The Captain thought otherwise. He really must go.