Being a quick reader of character, he saw that Arnold was ambitious, and he at once began to wonder whether ambition would lead him to be false to Allen.
"You have treated me very kindly," he said to Arnold, "and I shall report to my superiors, though——"
He paused, and there was a world of meaning in that sudden silence.
"Why do you hesitate? I know what you would say."
"Do you?"
"Yes; shall I tell you?"
"If you please."
"And you will tell me whether I am right?"
"On my honor as a soldier and a gentleman."
"You were about to say that such a recommendation would not even be a plea in mitigation of the death penalty if I should fall into the hands of the English."