Travers, we must do everything in our power to
prevent him giving that order. I have promised Colonel Carmichael to
do what I could. At twelve I must be back, or--"
Travers swung around. His face was livid.
"You told him--?"
"No, but I must. I can not keep my promise. You must set me free. I
gave it you because you told me that I was not concerned. Now I am
concerned, I dare not keep silence."
"My dear fellow, you must--that is, if you are a man of honor."
"Of what use is the secret to you?"
"That is my affair. There was a time when you were anxious enough to
keep it."
"It was for Lois' sake. The two things were bound up together. She can
not be spared any longer."
"You think not? I am of another opinion. I put my wife's peace of mind
higher than your old-maidish alarms." Travers faced his companion with
the assurance of a man who feels that he has the whip-hand. His
experience taught him that a man of certain orthodox principles has a
very limited sphere of action. He runs in herds with hundreds of other
men of the same mould, and under given circumstances has only one
course of conduct open to him. Had Travers been in Stafford's place,
no one living could have told what he would do. But Stafford had no
choice--at least, so Travers judged.
"You are one of honor's Pharisees, my dear fellow," he said frankly.
"You can't get out of your promise, and you know it. You cling to the
letter of the law.
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