de."

"You know the consequences?"

"They are not my concern," I answered coldly.

She looked over her shoulder.

"If I," she said, "were as unwavering in my duty as you I should call
Jean back."

"I am indifferent," I answered. "I do not value my life enough to
shrink from fighting for it."

She turned away.

"You are very young, Guy," she said, "and you talk like a very young
man. You must go your own way. Send for Lord Chelsford, if you will.
But remember all that it will mean. Can't you see that such stern
morality as yours is the most exquisite form of selfishness? Good-bye,
Guy."

She glided away. I reached the "Brand" undisturbed.

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE TRAITOR

"I do not understand you, Ducaine," Lord Chelsford said slowly. "You
have been a faithful and valuable servant to your country, and you know
very well that your services are not likely to be forgotten. I want you
only to be consistent. I must know from whom you received this packet."

"I cannot tell you, sir," I answered. "It was a terribly dark night,
and it is not easy to identify a hand. Besides, it was snatched away
almost at once."

"In your own mind, Ducaine," Chelsford said, "have you hazarded a guess
as to who that unseen person might be?"

"It is too serious a matter to hazard guesses about, sir," I answered.

"Nevertheless," Lord Chelsford continued, eyeing me closely, "in your
own mind you know very well who that person was. You are a bad liar,
Ducaine. There was something about the hand which told you the truth--a
ring, perhaps. At any rate, something."

"I had no time to feel for such things, sir," I answered.

"Ducaine," Lord Chelsford said, "I am forced to connect your refusal to
hazard even a surmise as to the identity of that hand with your sudden
desire to break off all connection with this matter. I am forced to come
to a conclusion, Ducaine. You have discovered the truth. You know the
traitor!"

"On the contrary, Lord Chelsford," I answered, "I know nothing.".

Later in the day he came to me again. I could see that he had made no
fresh discovery.

"Ducaine," he said, "what time did you say that you left here last
night?"

"At midnight, sir."

"And you were back?"

"Before one."

"That corresponds exactly with Grooton's statement," Lord Chelsford
said. "And yet I have certain information that from a few minutes
before eleven till two o'clock not one member of the Military Board
quitted the library."