Fishpingle groaned.
“Master Lionel——!”
“Fishpingle, I have been a coward. I asked for your help. I wanted you to plead my cause, to use your influence——”
The Squire started.
“Influence? You asked another man to influence—me. Are you stark mad? And what cause, pray, is he to plead? Answer me.”
Fishpingle stretched out his hands.
“Master Lionel——”
“Hold your damned tongue, Ben!”
“Please,” said Lionel.
Fishpingle crossed slowly to the window, and looked out over the park. Two men whom he had loved and served were standing upon the edge of an abyss and he was powerless to avert disaster. His spirit travailed within him, bringing forth nothing. He heard Sir Geoffrey say, in a frozen voice: