The butler
entered.
"Breakfast is served, Miss Caroline," he announced.
"Has Captain Warren come from his room?" asked the young lady.
"No, Miss Caroline. That is, I haven't seen him."
Stephen tossed the paper on the floor and rose.
"I wonder--" he began. Then, with a broad grin, "A sudden thought
strikes me, Sis. He has undoubtedly blown out the gas."
"Steve! How can you!"
"Perfectly simple. Absolutely reasonable. Just what might have been
expected. 'He has gone, but we shall miss him.' Come on, Caro; I'm
hungry. Let the old hayseed sleep. You and I can have a meal in peace.
Heavens! you don't care for another experience like last night's, do
you?"
"Edwards," said Caroline, "you may knock at Captain Warren's door and
tell him breakfast is served."
"Yes," commanded Stephen, "and tell him not to hurry on our account.
Come, Caro, come! You're not pining for his society. Well, wait then!
_I_ won't!"
He marched angrily out of the room. His sister hesitated, her wish
to follow complicated by a feeling of duty to a guest, no matter how
unwelcome. The butler reappeared, looking puzzled.
"He's not there, miss?" he said.
"Not there? Not in his room?"
"No, Miss Caroline. I knocked, and he didn't answer, so I looked in and
he wasn't there.
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