On that almost fierce denial his lordship looked at her, raising his eyebrows in astonishment. “But I am told that he did, and he is under arrest for it this moment--for that, and for breaking my order against duelling.” “You were not told the truth, my lord. Captain Tremayne says that he didn’t, and if he says so it is so.” “Oh, of course, Miss Armytage!” He was a man of unparalleled valour and boldness, yet so fierce was she in that moment that for the life of him he dared not have contradicted her. “Captain Tremayne is the most honourable man I know,” she continued, “and if he had killed Samoval he would never have denied it; he would have proclaimed it to all the world.” “There is no need for all this heat, my dear,” he reassured her. “The point is not one that can remain in doubt. The seconds of the duel will be forthcoming; and they will tell us who were the principals.” “There were no seconds,” she informed him. “No seconds!” he cried in horror. “D’ ye mean they just fought a rough and tumble fight?” “I mean they never fought at all. As for this tale of a duel, I ask your lordship: Had Captain Tremayne desired a secret meeting with Count Samoval, would he have chosen this of all places in which to hold it?” “This?” “This. The fight--whoever fought it--took place in the quadrangle there at midnight.” He was overcome with astonishment, and he showed it. “Upon my soul,” he said, “I do not appear to have been told any of the facts. Strange that O’Moy should never have mentioned that,” he muttered, and then inquired suddenly: “Where was Tremayne arrested?” “Here,” she informed him. “Here? He was here, then, at midnight? What was he doing here?” “I don’t know. But whatever he was doing, can your lordship believe that he would have come here to fight a secret duel?” “It certainly puts a monstrous strain upon belief,” said he. “But what can he have been doing here?” “I don’t know,” she repeated. She wanted to add a warning of O’Moy. She was tempted to tell his lordship of the odd words that O’Moy had used to her last night concerning Tremayne. But she hesitated, and her courage failed her. Lord Wellington was so great a man, bearing the destinies of nations on his shoulders, and already he had wasted upon her so much of the time that belonged to the world and history, that she feared to trespass further; and whilst she hesitated came Colquhoun Grant clanking across the quadrangle looking for his lordship. He had come up, he announced, standing straight and stiff before them, to see O’Moy, but hearing of Lord Wellington’s presence, had preferred to see his lordship in the first instance. “And indeed you arrive very opportunely, Grant,” his lordship confessed. He turned to take his leave of Jack Armytage’s niece. “I’ll not forget either Mr. Butler or Captain Tremayne,” he promised her, and his stern face softened into a gentle, friendly smile. “They are very fortunate in their champion.” CHAPTER XV. THE WALLET