"There is nothing to be annoyed about," he said.
"You went there to see me, and, not finding me there, came down again."
"Ye-es," said Joan, thoughtfully.
"Just put her head in at the door and fled," explained the captain, still watching her closely.
Miss Hartley appeared not to have heard him.
"Came down three stairs at a time," he continued, with a poor attempt at a chuckle.
"I was there about half an hour waiting for father," said Joan, eying him very steadily. "I thought that he was in the other office. Is there anything else I can tell you?"
The captain collapsed suddenly, and, turning a red face upon Hartley, appealed to him mutely for succour.
"Me?" he spluttered, feebly. "I—I don't want to know anything. Your father thought—"
"I didn't think anything," said Hartley, with some haste.