“But, your Excellency!” gasped the unhappy captain, his face blanched, his hands trembling, “I am innocent. I am the victim of some clever conspiracy, by which the real culprit has shielded himself. I had no chance of defending myself at the court-martial, for—”
“Silence!” cried the Minister. “You have been tried and found guilty of treason against your king and country. The evidence is as plain as the light of day, and yet you deny your guilt?”
“I do deny it,” declared the unhappy captain. “They refused to hear my explanation.”
“That is true, your Excellency,” interposed the general. “The court sat for four days in Turin with closed doors, and as three of the officers composing it were due to go on their annual leave, the sitting on the fourth day was terminated hurriedly, sentence was given, and sent to you for confirmation. Your Excellency has confirmed it, therefore Captain Solaro has no appeal except to yourself.”
“You, as his commanding officer, were not a member of the court?”
“No, your Excellency.”
“Then why should you interest yourself in a matter which does not concern you, pray?” inquired Morini impatiently.
“Because this unfortunate affair reflects upon the honour of my command.”
“Oh, of course. It is all very well to speak heroically after the event!” exclaimed the Minister of War, with a hard, dry laugh. “The mischief has been done, and one of your officers has been found guilty of treason—of selling a military secret to a foreign power.”
“Found guilty, yes,” exclaimed the unfortunate captain. “But innocent, nevertheless!”