I have a strong affection for."

"At the cost of involving another."

"I suppose that follows."

"Then you do not believe it wiser to let a painful matter which is
already almost forgotten rest? You would rake it up, even if it
brought trouble upon innocent people?"

"Justice must be done," said Challoner. "I have always hated jobbery.
If a wrong has been committed, it must be put right."

"You no doubt know that the order to retreat could only have been given
by one of two officers?"

There were signs of tension in Challoner's face and Mrs. Chudleigh
pitied him, but she was forced to be merciless.

"That seems to have been taken for granted. What then?"

"It was a dark night and nobody saw who gave the order, but Blake was
stationed with his electric apparatus in the ravine and the bugler some
distance behind him. Besides, the latter was attached to Captain
Challoner's company."

"But Blake did not fire the mine." Challoner's voice was strained.

"That is true. The conclusion was that he had deserted his post, but I
believe it must be wrong because he was seen busy with the wires."

"Who saw him?"

"One of his comrades, after the attack began, and it seems impossible
that Blake could have reached the bugler when the retreat was sounded.
There were one or two other points which might have been raised, only
that he made no defence. I will mention them."

She had after a long and careful consideration arranged her evidence in
a skilful manner. Facts which had appeared of minor importance to the
men who had noticed them had now, as she handled them, a telling effect
and Challoner grew troubled.

"If needful, I believe I could prove all this, though it would require
strong pressure to make my informant speak," she concluded. "You must
see what it implies?"

"That my son is a coward and gave the shameful order?" Challoner's
eyes glittered, though his face was colourless. "It's unthinkable!"

"Nevertheless it's true. Why did he, without permission and abusing
his authority over the guard, spend two hours late at night with Blake
who was under arrest? What had they to say that took so long, when
there was a risk of Captain Challoner's being discovered? Why did
Blake make no defence, unless it was because he knew that to clear
himself would throw the blame upon his friend?"

"You press me hard," said Challoner in a hoarse voice. "But that my
son should so have failed in his duty to his count