As he crossed the hall Gertrude Loring descended the stairs and paused, looking after him wonderingly, and then turned into the library. Colonel McVeigh was seated at the table again, his face buried in his hands.
“Kenneth!”
He raised his head, and she hesitated, staring at him. “Kenneth, you are ill; you––”
“No; it is really nothing,” he said, as he rose, “I am a trifle tired, I believe; absurd, isn’t it? and––and very busy just now, so––”
“Oh, I shan’t detain you a moment,” she said, hastily, “but I saw Captain Monroe in the hall, and I was so amazed when Phil told us you had released him.”
“I knew you would be, but he is an innocent man, and his arrest was all a mistake. Pray, tell mother for me that I have apologized to Captain Monroe, and he is to be our guest until tomorrow. I am sure she will be pleased to hear it.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” agreed Gertrude, “but Kenneth, the guard has arrived, and who will they take in his place for court-martial?”
She spoke lightly, but there was a subtle meaning back of her words. He felt it, and met her gaze with a sombre smile.
“Perhaps myself,” he answered, quietly.