.
She may not have known at the time, but she suspected afterwards. In
fact, she knew."

"Is that what you quarrelled about?" Eagerly Rupert broke in. "Noel tried
to get it out of her, but she wouldn't tell him. You'll find out where
she's gone, and set it right? She can't be very far away."

"That," Mordaunt said, in a tone from which the faintest hint of feeling
was excluded, "is beside the point. We will not discuss it."

"But--" Rupert began.

"We will not discuss it." Mordaunt repeated the words in the same utterly
emotionless voice, and Rupert found it impossible to continue. "In fact,
there seems to be nothing further to discuss of any sort. Can I put you
up for the night?"

Rupert stared at him.

"Well?" Mordaunt's brows went up a little.

"Are you in earnest?" the boy burst out awkwardly. "I mean--I mean--don't
you want to--to--give me a sound kicking?"

"Not in the least." A steely glint shone for a moment in the grey eyes.
"I don't think that sort of treatment does much good, as a rule. And I
have not the smallest desire to administer it. If you think you deserve
it, I should imagine that is punishment enough."

Rupert swung round sharply on his heel. "All right. I'm going. If you
want me, you know where to find me. I shan't run away. And I shan't try
to back out. What I've said I shall stick to--if it means perdition."

"And what about the Regiment?" Quietly Mordaunt's voice arrested him
before he reached the door. "Or doesn't the Regiment count?"

Rupert stopped dead, but he did not turn. "The Regiment"--he said--"the
Regiment"--he choked suddenly--"they'll be damned well rid of me," he
ended, somewhat incoherently.

"Come back!" Mordaunt said.

He made an irresolute movement, but did not comply.

"Rupert!" There was authority in the quiet voice.

Unwillingly Rupert turned. He came back unsteadily, with features that
had begun to twitch.

Mordaunt moved to meet him. The coldness had gone out of his eyes. He
took Rupert's arm, and brought him back to the table.

"I think you had better let me put you up," he said. "You can sleep in my
room; I'm not wanting it for to-night. There, sit down. You mustn't be a
fool, you know. You are played out, and want a rest."

"I--I'm all right," Rupert said.

He made as if he would withdraw his arm, but changed his intention, and
stood tense, battling with himself.

"Oh, man!" he burst out at last, hoarsely, "you--you don't know what
a--what a--cur