"Justice must be done," said Challoner. "I have always hated jobbery. If a wrong has been committed, it must be put right."
"You no doubt know that the order to retreat could only have been given by one of two officers?"
There were signs of tension in Challoner's face and Mrs. Chudleigh pitied him, but she was forced to be merciless.
"That seems to have been taken for granted. What then?"
"It was a dark night and nobody saw who gave the order, but Blake was stationed with his electric apparatus in the ravine and the bugler some distance behind him. Besides, the latter was attached to Captain Challoner's company."
"But Blake did not fire the mine." Challoner's voice was strained.
"That is true. The conclusion was that he had deserted his post, but I believe it must be wrong because he was seen busy with the wires."
"Who saw him?"
"One of his comrades, after the attack began, and it seems impossible that Blake could have reached the bugler when the retreat was sounded. There were one or two other points which might have been raised, only that he made no defence. I will mention them."
She had after a long and careful consideration arranged her evidence in a skilful manner. Facts which had appeared of minor importance to the men who had noticed them had now, as she handled them, a telling effect and Challoner grew troubled.