“Rather unwise, is it not? You see, you cut yourself apart from your brother officers, who are bound to stand aloof till Mr Lennox has cleared himself.”
“I’m sorry not to be friendly with them, sir,” said Dickenson sturdily; “and if there is any cutting apart, it is their doing, not mine. I am ready to do my duty in every way, sir; but I must stand by my friend.”
“Then you have perfect faith in his innocence?”
“Perfect, sir; and so would you have if you knew him as well as I do.”
“I do know him pretty well, Dickenson,” said the colonel quietly. “Well, I suppose you know that I ought to be very severe with you?”
“Yes, sir, of course.”
“And that I was bound to summon you to come to my quarters?”
“Or put me under arrest, sir.”
“I cannot spare any of my officers to-night, Dickenson, so I suppose it must be deferred till after the attack.”
“Thank you, sir. I don’t want to be out of the fight.”