"I have," was Gilbert's monosyllabic answer. He looked the captain straight in the eye.
"It is inexplicable, outrageous! What business had you, Mr. Boyd, to press upon me a servant of whom, by all that I gather, you knew far less than you gave me to understand—a fellow who has played the traitor, disgraced me, and criminated you!"
"I am sorry that any gentleman of the service should suffer by the misconduct of one of my household," replied Gilbert, sharply, "but I deny that it criminates anyone of my household, except I shall have proof of it."
Jermain stared angrily at Boyd for a couple of seconds. Then, with an oath, he burst into a peal of coarse laughter, ending it with:
"Your impudence is a marvel, Mr. Boyd."
"And your conduct, at this moment, Captain Jermain, very unlike your behavior last night upon entering my house."
"I fancy that I know now a different host," sneered the captain. "Idiot that I have been!" he muttered. "Hark ye, Boyd, I tie, hand and foot, a wounded prisoner. I cast him into yonder strong-room, through whose door he cannot be heard, unless he call—a door that I lock with my own hands——"
Boyd interrupted—"The key of which you gave to one of your own troop, who hides it about his person."
"Ay, but—when the soldier he commits it to is in no case to resist its theft. Be silent, I command you, Roxley! You knew this, Mr. Boyd; so did your sentry, after or before your return with him well instructed in how he was to act."
"Was it your duty to accept such aid, Captain Jermain? Was it—no matter if you knew the outsider as well as I?"