“You honor him for going to prison?”
“Yes. The police court is not always a disgrace. Some day you will think as I do. Your husband is innocent of the crime with which he has been charged, and his accusers know him to be innocent. It is but an attempt to silence him, and the attempt will fail,” Drake said with quiet conviction.
Lord Lynton rushed into the room and there was great excitement on his face.
“I have just been telephoning to the Baron. He tells me that it is not too late, and if Gaunt will only give the promise, he will see that these proceedings are stopped. Mr. Drake, you must follow him to the police station and make him do this.”
“From your knowledge of Mr. Gaunt’s character, you should understand that such a visit would be useless. He has made up his mind and nothing that I or any one else can say will change his purpose.”
Lady Ethel had followed closely after her brother, who had explained to her what had happened.
“Mr. Drake, will you come with me?” she said quietly, and led the way to the library. “I ask you as a great favor to go to Mr. Gaunt. I believe you underrate your influence with him, and that if you try hard he will consent to give the Baron this promise.”
“I have already said that it would be useless,” he answered gravely.
“Yes, but I am not sure that you believe what you said. For some purpose of your own you have been driving Mr. Gaunt on to this mad course. You, and no one else, are responsible for what he has done. If you had not entered into his life he would never have given a second thought to the wrongs of the natives of the Congo.”
He endeavored to interrupt her but she continued with greater earnestness.