Miles had stationed a sentry just inside the front door, but he was the only one of our men visible, nearly all of the others being at breakfast in the kitchen. I felt no need of any help however, for Le Gaire was unarmed, and not of a nature to make serious resistance. Besides, if I was mistaken as to his hiding place in the house I preferred making the discovery alone. My exploration during the night had made me familiar with the arrangement of the front rooms, but not the extension to the rear. I stopped, in the silence, at the head of the stairs, to glance about, and decide where I had better begin. Miss Hardy's door was closed, even the transom lowered, and I instantly decided not to disturb her until the very last. Yet I was soldier enough to take the other rooms in rotation, realizing the danger of leaving an enemy in my rear. These were soon disposed of, although I made a close search, disarranging beds, delving into closets, and leaving no nook or corner big enough to conceal a man, unrevealed. I endeavored to accomplish all this quietly, yet must have made some noise, for as I rolled back a bed in the third room entered, I heard the door creak and sprang to my feet to confront Billie. I hardly know which was the more startled, for the girl staggered back, one hand thrown out. "You! Oh, I thought--" she drew her breath quickly. "You thought what?" "Oh, nothing--only I heard the noise, and--and wondered who it could be." She looked about at the confusion. "What--what are you doing? Hunting for some one?" "A needle in a haystack," I answered, suddenly suspicious that she might know something of the fugitive. "Will you help me search?" "I--I hardly appreciate your humor," haughtily. "Is--is it Captain Le Gaire?" "Why do you suspect that, Miss Willifred? Is it because you imagine the man may be here?" "Because I know he got away; because I know your feeling toward him, your effort to take his life." "You know! What is all this?" so stunned I could scarcely articulate. "Surely your father--" "I know of no reason why my father should be dragged into this affair." "But he was present; he surely told you what occurred." "He said the two of you went out to fight; that it was a dishonorable affair. He gave me no particulars, and I asked none--I already knew what had taken place." "Then you have seen Le Gaire since--is that so?" She turned her back toward me, and stepped into the hall. The action was defiant, almost insulting. "Miss Willifred, I insist on an answer." "Indeed," carelessly, "to what?" "To my question--have you seen Le Gaire since?" "I refuse to tell you."