He walked out into the hall, and reaching the front door fumbled clumsily with the catch. The captain watching his efforts in grim silence began to experience the twin promptings of curiosity and temptation.
"What is this wonderful plan of yours?" he demanded, with a sneer.
"Just at present that must remain a secret," said the other. He came from the door and, unbidden, followed the captain into the room again.
"What do you want to visit at my house for?" inquired the latter, in a forbidding voice.
"To see your daughter," said Hardy.
The captain had a relapse. He had not expected a truthful answer, and, when it came, in the most matter-of-fact tone, it found him quite unprepared. His first idea was to sacrifice his dignity and forcibly eject his visitor, but more sensible thoughts prevailed.
"You are quite sure, I suppose, that your visits would be agreeable to my daughter?" he said, contemptuously.
Hardy shook his head. "I should come ostensibly to see you," he said, cheerfully; "to smoke a pipe with you."
"Smoke!" stuttered the captain, explosively; "smoke a pipe with ME?"
"Why not?" said the other. "I am offering you my services, and anything that is worth having is worth paying for. I suppose we could both smoke pipes under pleasanter conditions. What have you got against me? It isn't my fault that you and my father have quarrelled."