“Is that thought,” said Goodrich, “grounded on some evidence not yet forthcoming?”
Grimshaw replied quietly: “You see, I know the man. Does not character weigh with you, Mr. Goodrich?”
“Of course.”
Lady Selina, looking earnestly at Grimshaw, continued:
“But, unhappily, this young man’s character as—as an agitator, as a stirrer-up of strife, is against him.”
“To my knowledge,” Grimshaw replied firmly, “he has been a good son and a good soldier. Doesn’t that appeal to you, Lady Selina?”
“It does. You say, Mr. Grimshaw, that you know Sergeant Exton. Has he, in talk with you, ever shown any personal animus against me?”
Grimshaw betrayed his uneasiness, conscious once again that his hand was being forced by Fate, that, against his own convictions and principles, he was constrained to take, seemingly, the side of Authority. He hesitated, and then answered quickly:
“Well, yes; he has, but——”
John Exton cut him short.