"Yes. We'll take Edie," said the colonel curtly, "she'll be all right with us. Are you ready, Lou?"
And she passed out of the door without another word, or another look.
The supreme farewell had been spoken. Further words--even another kiss--would have almost desecrated its undying memory.
The two men remained alone, and Colonel Harris without any hesitation held out his hand to Luke de Mountford.
"The police are here, sir," said Luke, without taking the hand that was offered him.
"I know they are," muttered the other, "that's no reason why you should refuse an old friend's hand."
Then as Luke--hesitating no longer--placed his burning hand in that of his friend, Colonel Harris said quietly, almost entreatingly:
"It's only a temporary trouble, eh, my boy? You can easily refute this abominable charge, and prove your innocence?"
"I think not, sir," replied Luke. "I cannot refute the charge and my innocence will be difficult to prove."
"But you are mad, man!" retorted the older man hotly. "You are mad! and are breaking a woman's heart!"
"Heaven forgive me for that, sir. It is the greatest crime."
Colonel Harris smothered a powerful oath. Luke's attitude puzzled him more and more. And his loyalty had received such a succession of shocks to-day that it would have been small wonder if it had begun to totter at last.
He turned away without another word. But at the door he paused once more--in obvious hesitation.
"There's nothing else I can do for you?" he asked.
Then as he saw the other man's eyes wandering to the drawer of the desk, he said simply:
"Oh, no," rejoined Luke. And he added after a slight pause: "Not at present."
"I mean that I shouldn't exactly hang for the murder of the Clapham bricklayer. I shouldn't let it come to that. I am sorry I did not manage to get away to-night. I thought they meant to let me."
"I think they did mean to. Some blunder I suppose on the part of the subordinates."
"Well, Luke," said Colonel Harris with a deep sigh, "I have known you ever since you were a child, but, by G--d, man! I confess that I don't understand you."
"That's very kindly put, sir," rejoined Luke with the semblance of a smile. "You have every right to call me a confounded blackguard."
"I shall only do that after your trial, my boy," said the other. "When I have heard you confess with your own lips that you killed that d----d scoundrel in a moment of intense provocation."