"Do sit down, please."
Captain Griffiths bowed but remained standing.
"It is very near your dinner-time, I know, Lady Cranston," he
continued apologetically. "The fact of it is, however, that as
Commandant here it is my duty to examine the bona fides of any
strangers in the place. There is a gentleman named Lessingham
staying at the hotel, who I understand gave your name as
reference."
Philippa's eyes looked larger than ever, and her face more innocent,
as she gazed up at her visitor.
"Why, of course, Captain Griffiths," she said. "Mr. Lessingham
was at college with my brother, and one of his best friends. He
has shot down at my father's place in Cheshire."
"You are speaking of your brother, Major Felstead?"
"My only brother."
"I am very much obliged to you, Lady Cranston," Captain Griffiths
declared. "I can see that we need not worry any more about Mr.
Lessingham."
Philippa laughed.
"It seems rather old-fashioned to think of you having to worry about
any one down here," she observed. "It really is a very harmless
neighbourhood, isn't it?"
"There isn't much going on, certainly," the Commandant admitted.
"Very dull the place seems at times."
"Now be perfectly frank," Philippa begged him. "Is there a single
fact of importance which could be learnt in this place, worth
communicating to the enemy? Is the danger of espionage here worth
a moment's consideration?"
"That," Captain Griffiths replied in somewhat stilted fashion, "is
not a question which I should be prepared to answer off-hand.
Pages:
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87