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I forgot all the minor tragedies which had been real enough things to face only a few hours ago. I spoke calmly and decisively. "I accept, Lord Cheisford," I said. "I shall count my life a small thing indeed against my fidelity." He drummed idly with his forefinger upon the table. His eyes were wandering around the room absently. His face was calm and expressionless.
I had done my duty, I had told the truth, there was nothing against me save this obstinate and quixotic loyalty of the Duke to an old family friend. Yet I scarcely dared hope that there was a chance for me. At last I heard the door open, and the sound of friendly adieux in the passage. Lord Cheisford came in to me alone.
For a man who rarely displayed feeling the Duke seemed to be wonderfully affected. "I can suggest nothing," he answered in a low tone. "I must confess that I am bewildered. These matters have developed so rapidly." Lord Cheisford looked thoughtful for a moment. "I have a plan in my mind," he said slowly.
The Duke looked round and watched him close the door. Then he turned to me. "Ducaine," he said, "a copy of our proposed camp at Winchester, and the fortifications on Bedler's Hill, has reached Paris." "Your Grace," I answered, "it was I who pointed out to you that our papers dealing with those matters had been tampered with. I am waiting now to be cross-questioned by Lord Cheisford.
"I have explained certain circumstances to Colonel Ray, which it seemed to me might make my resignation necessary. He promised to confer with Lord Cheisford, and let me know the result." The urbanity slowly faded from the Duke's face. "I am your employer," he said coldly. "I do not understand why you thought it necessary to go to Colonel Ray."
Lord Cheisford carefully placed the papers which he had been reading in his breast-pocket. Ray leaned over towards him. "Lord Chelsford," he said, "and you, Duke, you took this young man on trust, and I pledged my word for him. Like many a better man, I made a mistake. For all that we know he has secret copies of all the work he has done for us, ready to dispose of.
I felt that in making that speech he had departed a great deal from his usual course of action, and I knew that he meant it. "I am very much obliged to your Grace," I answered. "I think," he continued, "that Lord Cheisford and in fact all the others are inclined to accept you on my estimate.
"I might remind you," Lord Chelsford said, smiling, "that those are precisely the two persons who shared with you the knowledge of the word which opened the safe." I laughed. "I presume that you do not suspect either of them?" I remarked. "The absurdity is obvious," Lord Cheisford answered. "But the force of my former remark remains. I like that secret better when it rests between you and me.
I am, at any rate, convinced that they would commence a search for its solution in altogether wrong quarters." "Your Grace," I said firmly, "I am very sorry indeed that I cannot take your advice. I think it most important that Lord Cheisford should know that those papers were tampered with.
"It will mean," Lord Cheisford said, "some privation and a great deal of inconvenience for you. But I am going to ask you to face it, for the end to be gained is worth it. I want you also to be at the 'Brand, but to lie hidden all the day time. You can have one of the upstair rooms fitted as a writing room. Then you and my nephew can do the transposition.
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