“I don’t know,” he laughed uneasily. “Some men, and especially foreigners, are very easily offended.”
“But have you offended the Doctor?”
“Perhaps. A man never knows when he gives unintentional offence.”
“Are you aware of having done anything to offend him?”
“No, except that Maud asked me not to visit there so often, as her father did not approve of it.”
“Did she ever tell you that the Doctor had suddenly entertained a dislike of you?”
“Certainly not. I always believed that he was very friendly disposed towards me. But—well—why do you ask all this?”
“I merely ask for information.”
“Of course, but you promised to tell me the reason.”
“Well, the fact is this. On the afternoon prior to their disappearance, the Doctor expressed feelings towards you that were not exactly friendly. It seemed to me that he had formed some extraordinary prejudice. Fathers do this often towards the men who love their daughters, you know. They are sometimes apt to be over-cautious, with the result that the girl loses a very good chance of marriage,” he added. “I’ve known several similar cases.”