“ ‘I suppose your men sold their lives dearly?’ he asked.
“ ‘Yes, sir,’ I replied. ‘Taken by surprise as they were they certainly accounted for more than one man each.’
“ ‘And doubtless you did the same, Mr. Forster?’
“ ‘Yes, sir, I cut down two of them, and I did not cease fighting until I saw that all was lost.’
“ ‘Then I suppose you thought that your duty to His Majesty was to take care of yourself,’ he said slyly.
“ ‘I am afraid, sir,’ I said, ‘at that moment I thought more of my duty towards myself than of my duty to him.’
“He smiled grimly.
“ ‘I have no doubt that was so, Mr. Forster. Well, you committed a blunder, and I hope it will be a lesson to you in future.’
“ ‘It will indeed, sir,’ I said.
“Then he started to question me about you.