Miss Burden was on her feet, one hand extended imploringly toward Britz.
"You don't mean he'll have to go to prison?" she faltered.
"For ten years!" Britz impressed it on her mercilessly. "Unless they'll"—his hand swept the semi-circle in which the others were seated—"release him from his pledge."
Miss Burden's distress had made a profound impression on everyone in the room.
"Won't you save him?" she pleaded.
A moment's silence was broken by Mrs. Collins. She lifted herself slowly out of her seat, and, bracing herself with one hand against the top of the chair, stood for a tense second facing Luckstone.
"Let Mr. Beard tell!" she said.
The words had an electrical effect. Manning, Greig, Coroner Hart leaned excitedly over the desk. Beard was already on his feet, eager to end the distressing situation. Collins and Ward also left their chairs and advanced toward Britz.
"I'll tell the story!" volunteered Ward.
"No you won't!" interposed Collins. "I'll give my version of it."