Every one had risen now, and Captain Murray made a rush to reach the other side; but before he was half-way there, Frank had seen his father dart forward, there was the sound of a heavy blow, and the German baron fell back with his chair, the crash resounding through the room, but only to be drowned by the fierce roar of voices, as the German officers clapped their hands to their swordless sides, and then made a rush to seize Sir Robert.
The colonel could not speak a word of German, but his looks and gestures sufficed as he sprang before them.
“Keep back, gentlemen!” he said; “I am in ignorance of the cause of all this.”
“A most gross insult, sir!” cried Captain Murray angrily.
“Silence, sir!” cried the colonel. “These gentlemen were my guests, and whatever was said Captain Sir Robert Gowan has committed an unpardonable breach of social duty. To your quarters, sir, without a word.”
“Right, colonel,” replied Sir Robert quietly, as he stood pale and stern, returning the vindictive looks of the German guests, who would have attacked him but for the action taken by his brother-officers.
What took place afterward was confused to Frank by the giddy excitement in his brain; but he was conscious of seeing the baron assisted to a chair, and then talking in savage anger to his compatriots, while at the other end of the room there was another knot where the younger officers and Captain Murray were with Sir Robert.
“It was a mad thing to do, Gowan,” cried the former.
“Flesh and blood could not bear it, lad,” replied Frank’s father. “Mad? What would you have done if in the presence of your son those words had been uttered?”
“As you did, old lad,” cried Captain Murray, with his face flushing, “and then stamped my heel upon his face.”