Campion had just finished speaking as Farquharson came in, and Aunt Hatt, who was too worried about Amanda to be silenced by any military etiquette, sprang up.
“How is she? Can I go up to her?”
Colonel Featherstone turned a shade darker, but his manners did not desert him. Lumbering to his feet he clumped over to the door and held it open.
“Give the brave little woman my compliments, ma’am,” he said. And as Aunt Hatt fluttered out he strode back to his chair without dreaming for an instant that he had spoken, save in the most simple, natural manner in the world.
“Ah, Farquharson, my boy,” he said. “Sit down, will you? Campion’s just told us a most remarkable tale. If you’ll forgive me, my dear”—he nodded to Mary—“damned remarkable. Well, Campion, let’s have that iron box and open it, s
