“I am helpless, sir,” cried the old Colonel.
“Place me under arrest then, and let me appear in due time.”
“I claim Major Rockley as my prisoner, sir,” cried the constable stoutly. “I have a warrant in proper form, and my men waiting. This is not an ordinary case.”
“Oh, very well,” cried Rockley contemptuously; “I am ready. The charge is as ridiculous as it is disgraceful. I presume that I may return to my quarters, and tell my servant to pack up a few necessaries?”
“Of course; of course, Rockley,” said the Colonel. “There can be no objection to this.”
He looked at the constable as he spoke, but that individual made no reply. He placed himself by Rockley’s side, and Sir Harry Payne went out with them.
“I don’t believe it, Rockley,” cried the latter. “Here, I’ll stand by you to the end.”
Rockley gave him a grim nod, glanced sharply round, and then strode out to his own quarters only a few yards away.
“Well, gentlemen,” said the Colonel, looking from one to the other; “this is a most painful business for me. Mr Denville, as your father’s son, I cannot blame you very much, but if you had been ten years older you would have acted differently.”
“Colonel Lascelles,” said Lord Carboro’ coldly, “I do not see how Mr Morton Denville could have acted differently.”