have formed a wedge between the traitor in the camp and his colleagues outside.
To stay the night in the room was out of the question, and he determined to put in practice the inspiration derived from “Colonel Walcot’s” card.
“Mayne,” he said, laying his hand on the astonished keeper’s shoulder, “I must get out of this at once, without the gentleman below being aware of it, and you must help me.”
“But, your Grace———” began Mayne.
“Don’t withstand me,” Beaumanoir cut short the protest. “I cannot go into a long explanation, but it’s like this. That man is the colonel of my former regiment—an old brother officer, you understand. My name was Hanbury then, and he either does not, or pretends not to, recognize me. It is not a nice thing to have to confess, but I borrowed money in those days from Colonel Walcot, which never till now have I had it in my power to repay. It would distress me greatly to have that money mentioned before I have repaid it, as I shall do to-morrow, so if you can contrive to let me out without his knowledge I’ll make for Prior’s Tarrant and never forget your assistance.”
[192]
