“No; but this is different. What have you to gain by continuing the fearful risk? Nothing.”
“Look here, Diamond, I may have nothing to gain, but there is one thing I fear if I leave France now.”
“What is it?”
“I fear I shall never forgive myself for doing so.”
“Better never forgive yourself than to be murdered.”
“I don’t know. I’d rather be dead than to always feel myself a coward.”
This brought a fierce protest from Jack, who declared there would be nothing cowardly in going away. Over this point they argued for some time, till Merry again protested that he was too tired to talk further about it that night.
“Jack,” he said, “I want you to promise me something.”
“Name it.”
“I want you to promise to say nothing about what has happened. You are not to let Browning or Rattleton know the particulars.”