'The despatches thrown to me by Unziar.'
'That case is mine; it contains my private instructions; you can guess something of their importance from the fact that I have been robbed of them. You must give them back to me! As an Englishman and an honest man, I call upon you to give them back to me.'
Rallywood's long nervous fingers closed over the packet.
'It is impossible!' he said. 'As an Englishman, yes, but as an honest man, well, it—it is hard to say.'
'Are you mad?' cried Counsellor.
'I have not had long to think it out, and it is a tangled question,' replied Rallywood wearily.
'A tangled question? I take it you are first of all an Englishman?'
'In my private capacity, and that deals with my private honour; but I have undertaken another responsibility from which I cannot withdraw at pleasure. I am a sworn soldier of Maäsau, and as such my public honour has first claim.'
It was a simple rendering of a tremendous problem, but it served for Rallywood.
'Then——' said Counsellor.