Then the accused was called, and amid breathless silence Gordon entered with a firm step, attended by the officer who had him in charge. His manner was calm, and though his face was pale almost to pallor, his expression betrayed neither fear nor bravado. His appearance made a deep impression, and the President told him to sit. At the same moment it was observed that the Sirdar came in by a door at the farther end of the room and took a seat immediately in front of him.
The Court was then sworn and the charge was read. It accused the prisoner of three offences under the Army Act; first, that being a person subject to military law he had disobeyed the lawful command of a superior in such a way as to show a wilful disregard of authority (A.A. 9, 1); second, that he had been guilty of acts and conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline (A.A. 40); third, that he had deserted his Majesty's service while on active service (A.A. 12, 13).
"He heard it all yesterday morning," whispered Hafiz to Helena, whose nervous fingers were tightening about his own.
The charges having been read out to the accused, he was called upon to plead.
"Are you guilty or not guilty?" asked the President.
There was a moment of breathless silence, and then, in a measured voice without a break or a tremor, Gordon said—
"I do not wish to plead at all."
A subdued murmur passed through the room, and Hafiz whispered again—
"He wanted to plead Guilty, and the Sirdar had all he could do to prevent him."
"Enter a plea of 'Not guilty' on the record," said the President.