“You appear to repose the utmost confidence in him,” he remarked, surprised. “Why?”
“Because I am certain that he has fallen the victim of a plot,” she declared, her face hard set and desperate. “If those enemies of my father’s are endeavouring so cleverly to oust him from office, is it not quite feasible that they have laid the blame purposely upon Captain Solaro?”
“Why purposely?”
She paused, and again his eyes met hers.
“Because they knew that if Captain Solaro were accused,” she said slowly, “my father, as Minister, would show him no clemency.”
“Why?”
“There is a reason,” she responded hoarsely, adding, “I know that he is innocent—he must be innocent.”
“But he has been tried by a competent court-martial, and found guilty,” remarked her companion.
“With closed doors?”
“And is not that the usual procedure in cases of grave offence? It would never do for the public to learn that the loyalty of Italy’s officers had been found wanting. That would shake the confidence of the country.”