He might take his time; but little he needed to gain conviction for despair; for he saw how inevitably answer would beget question point by point, till, again at bay, having traversed ground bristling with hostile indications, he must stand at yet worse disadvantage. Before his eyes, one, fingering in mere impatience, took hold of the strung berries; at a rough twitch some scattered. Christian, exasperated, plucked for a free hand, and a tightened grip set him struggling for one instant with the natural indignation of young blood at rude constraint. So well dreaded was his strength, that on a misconstruction of his aim, every tool that might serve as a weapon was caught up and thrust hastily from the window, while more of the rowan danced down. Balked the Alien seemed, resisting no longer, and sweating, shaking, choking, with eyes miserably wet with rage. But Rhoda, who had watched his face, turned, and gathering all the berries loose and strung, laid them safe from handling. 'God bless you, dear!' he said; and so she knew that she had guessed right, and so she could not doubt but his wits had fallen again to their old infirmity. He had ended patience and grace when a gleam of hope came. 'It must be within your knowledge,' he said, 'who last saw him with me.' 'Yes.' 'Then this I may say--he and Philip went together when we parted company.' 'That too we had thought to be possible.' Christian recognised an ominous note, and the hostile faces he saw more dark and grim. 'Speak out!' he cried; 'what is it you think?' Yet half he knew; yet quite he knew. 'Speak out! Do you dare think I have betrayed them?' 'We have little doubt. Traitor, thrice over traitor, the League's account with you is overdue.' He laughed out savagely. 'Now, devils that you are you show, that bring a false accusation, since well you know that once only have I been on a venture.' 'Well we know how two ventures before failed--well-planned ventures. Now we know how you have played the fool and the spy together. Two times have you been gone, no man knew where; over a day gone, and not at sea. Will you say now where you went?' He despaired, and did not answer, while Rhoda's glance wavered consciously. At last he said: 'Though I myself can make no defence, in due time I cannot fail to be cleared--of murder and treason. I cannot wait. This day I want; I must be free on any terms. No terms? But hear! I claim judgment instantly, this hour. Men, you dare not give it. Then I claim the judgment of God. I will fight it out. Choose your place and pick your man,--nay, any two. What? Cowards! three, all four together, but forgo your knives or lend me one.' 'Fight you may, but the place shall be here, and the odds against you, as you see.' The door was fast, and the six within stood close in the limited space; he was held at disadvantage, and weaponless, against choice men prepared. Also he cared for two women.