"
And the long tale of his inactive years had stood up to accuse him. Now,
however, the guilt was lifted from his shoulders, and by Harry
Feversham's own act. The news was not altogether unexpected, but the
lightness of spirit which he felt showed him how much he had counted
upon its coming.
"I knew," he exclaimed, "I knew he wouldn't fail. Oh, I am glad you came
to-day, Colonel Durrance. It was partly my fault, you see, that Harry
Feversham ever incurred that charge of cowardice. I could have
spoken--there was an opportunity on one of the Crimean nights at Broad
Place, and a word might have been of value--and I held my tongue. I have
never ceased to blame myself. I am grateful for your news. You have the
particulars? Captain Willoughby was in peril, and Harry came to his
aid?"
"No, it was not that exactly."
"Tell me! Tell me!"
He feared to miss a word. Durrance related the story of the Gordon
letters, and their recovery by Feversham. It was all too short for
Lieutenant Sutch.
"Oh, but I am glad you came," he cried.
"You understand at all events," said Durrance, "that I have not come to
repeat to you the questions I asked in the courtyard of my club.
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