Then as Luke—hesitating no longer—placed his burning hand in that of his friend, Colonel Harris said quietly, almost entreatingly:
"It's only a temporary trouble, eh, my boy? You can easily refute this abominable charge, and prove your innocence?"
"I think not, sir," replied Luke. "I cannot refute the charge and my innocence will be difficult to prove."
"But you are mad, man!" retorted the older man hotly. "You are mad! and are breaking a woman's heart!"
"Heaven forgive me for that, sir. It is the greatest crime."
Colonel Harris smothered a powerful oath. Luke's attitude puzzled him more and more. And his loyalty had received such a succession of shocks to-day that it would have been small wonder if it had begun to totter at last.
He turned away without another word. But at the door he paused once more—in obvious hesitation.
"There's nothing else I can do for you?" he asked.
"Nothing, sir. Thank you."
"You—you were not thinking—of——"