"I did not tell your kinsman that you were in command here.

I thought he would be delightfully surprised by being confronted with you suddenly.

But--" "Exactly! You were quite right, lieutenant.

And now you may leave us!" The lieutenant flushed at the rebuke, saluted stiffly, and left the room.
Fred was alone with his uncle.
"You are brave, at least," said Mikail, presently.

"That will, perhaps, be a comfort to you later.