"At once, yes."
"Were you surprised?"
Nayland Smith subtly changed the tone of his voice in asking the last question, and it was evident that the veiled significance of the words was not lost upon Morrison.
"Well, sir," he began, and cleared his throat nervously.
"Yes, or no!" snapped Smith.
Morrison still hesitated, and I saw his underlip twitch. Nayland Smith, taking two long strides, stood immediately in front of him, glaring grimly into his face.
"This is your chance," he said emphatically; "I shall not give you another. You had met Samarkan before?"
Morrison hung his head for a moment, clenching and unclenching his fists; then he looked up swiftly, and the light of a new resolution was in his eyes.
"I'll take the chance, sir," he said, speaking with some emotion, "and
I hope, sir"—turning momentarily to Colonel Warrington—"that you'll
be as lenient as you can; for I didn't know there was any harm in what
I did."
"Don't expect any leniency from me!" cried the Colonel. "If there has been a breach of discipline there will be punishment, rely upon it!"