"You must have done it in self-defence," said Jemmy. "I know you too well to suppose you could have committed such a crime without some strong motive."
"The deed was done in my rescue," cried Helen. "Captain Lindsay was carrying me off when he was shot."
"I trust that will save him from the consequences of the act," replied Jemmy, sadly. "My duty is to deliver him to the provost-marshal."
"That is all that I could desire," said the sergeant. "I ask no greater favour from you."
"Oh! let me gae wi' him—let me gae wi' him," cried Helen, distractedly. "I am the sad cause of it a'."
"Ye canna gang wi' me, lassie, unless you compose yersel," said the sergeant, somewhat sternly.
"Dinna fear me—dinna fear me—I winna greet mair," she cried, controlling her emotion by a powerful effort.
"May she walk by my side to the guard-room, Captain Dawson?" asked the sergeant.
"She may," replied the other, adding to the men, "conduct the prisoner to the guard-room near the prince's quarters."
The sergeant was then deprived of his arms, and the pistol with which he had fired the fatal shot was picked up, and preserved as evidence against him.