His words staggered me. How could he know the secret that we had so closely guarded?
I did not reply for several moments.
“Well?” he asked, repeating his question.
“I don’t see why I should reveal to anyone—even to you—what I have been doing in the interests of the defence of our country,” I protested.
“Except that by doing so we should both be able to carry our investigations farther—and, I hope, to a satisfactory issue.”
I had given my word to Teddy and to Roseye, and they had given their words to me, to disclose nothing. This I recollected and, therefore, I hesitated.
The captain, seeing my reluctance, said:
“In this inquiry we ought, surely, to assist each other, Mr Munro! Miss Lethmere is missing, and it is for us to unite in our efforts to elucidate the mystery.”
“But how can answers to the questions you have put to me serve, in any way whatever, to bring us nearer to the truth of what has happened to Miss Lethmere?” I queried.
“They do. I merely ask you, yes or no. Your reply will at once place us in a far better position to conduct this most important inquiry,” he said. “I may tell you that at present the gravest suspicion rests upon Miss Lethmere.”