"Bless the man!" exclaimed Barbara cheerfully, "does he think his business is writ large on his brow? I assure you, sir, I know nothing whatever of the cause of such a visit." Captain Protheroe raised his eyebrows. "In that case, madame, I must inform you. I have certain knowledge that a fugitive has taken refuge in this house, and it is my intention not to leave the place until I have found him." "A most laudable intention, sir, though I fear me it means that you will remain here for the rest of your natural life. But pray tell me, how long has it been the custom for an honourable gentleman to turn man-hunter?" The captain reddened angrily. "It is not a task I would gladly choose, madame, as you might know. But I am not here to discuss the virtue of my orders, I am here to search for this rebel." "Then in Heaven’s name go and search for him elsewhere. I assure you he is not here," exclaimed Barbara petulantly. Captain Protheroe looked at her for a moment questioningly. "Will you swear to me that such is the truth, madame?" he asked. Barbara hesitated for a moment. Then she turned away impatiently and walked back into the room. "Nay, an my word be not enough, I will swear nothing. Yet I assure you the man you seek is not here." But even as she spoke the words, she stopped with a stifled cry, for in the centre of the floor lay a man’s hat, stained and draggled, but serving, with its long plume and jewelled clasp, as an outspoken traitor to its master. The captain’s glance fell on the hat at the same moment, and he turned to Barbara with a questioning smile. But she had recovered herself in an instant. Walking coolly forward, she concealed the treacherous hat beneath her skirt, until with a dexterous movement she swept it out of sight under the table, while at the same time she unconcernedly (though a trifle breathlessly) repeated her former statement that the man they sought was not in the house. Captain Protheroe, marvelling greatly at a woman’s strangely discriminating sense of honour, which will permit her to assert a fact but not to swear to it, smiled at her statement and bowed politely. "So be it, madame. Then nought remains save for me to order my men to commence the search at once, since you so resolutely refuse to give up the traitor. I am distressed to disturb you, but search I must."