'Of course I knew you would take this attitude, Colonel Springfield,' replied Jack quietly. 'You have reason to.'
'What reason?' he snarled.
'Are you sure you wish me to tell?'
'Yes, tell anything, everything you can! Only be sure it's the truth. Else by——!' he remembered himself suddenly and then went on: 'But this is madness, pure madness!'
'I'll not deal with motives,' went on my friend, still speaking quietly; 'they will doubtless come out in good time. For that matter I would rather say no more at present. I have only said what I have to give you a chance—of—of clearing out.'
Springfield gave me a quick glance, and then for a moment lost control of himself.
'Oh, I see,' he said. 'This is a plot. Luscombe is in it. He has been discussing things with this—this lunatic, and this hatched-up absurdity is the result.'
I think Springfield felt he had made a false move the moment he had spoken. Directly my name was mentioned, it became evident that the plea of my friend's madness broke down.
'At any rate,' he went on, 'I am not to be intimidated, and I will not listen to any hysterical slanderings.'
'Pardon me,' said Jack quietly, 'but Luscombe knew nothing whatever of my intentions. You are sure you want me to go on?' he added quietly.