I assured him that it was. The boy's face was drawn and haggard; there

was terrible suffering in his eyes, yet about him hung, like a halo, the

glory of a great resolution.

"May I present my father?" he said. "General Fraser-Freer, retired. We

have come on a matter of supreme importance--"

The old man muttered something I could not catch. I could see that

he had been hard hit by the loss of his elder son. I asked them to be

seated; the general complied, but the boy walked the floor in a manner

most distressing.

"I shall not be long," he remarked. "Nor at a time like this is one in

the mood to be diplomatic. I will only say, sir, that we have come to

ask of you a great--a very great favor indeed. You may not see fit to

grant it. If that is the case we can not well reproach you. But if you

can--"

"It is a great favor, sir!" broke in the general. "And I am in the odd

position where I do not know whether you will serve me best by granting

it or by refusing to do so."

"Father--please--if you don't mind--" The boy's voice was kindly but

determined. He turned to me.

"Sir--you have testified to the police that it was a bit past seven when

you heard in the room above the sounds of the struggle which--which--You

understand."

In view of the mission of the caller who had departed a scant hour

previously, the boy's question startled me.

"Such was my testimony," I answered. "It was the truth."

"Naturally," said Lieutenant Fraser-Freer. "But--er--as a matter of

fact, we are here to ask that you alter your testimony. Could you, as a

favor to us who have suffered so cruel a loss--a favor we should never

forget--could you not make the hour of that struggle half after six?"

I was quite overwhelmed.

"Your--reasons?" I managed at last to ask.

"I am not able to give them to you in full," the boy answered. "I can

only say this: It happens that at seven o'clock last Thursday night I

was dining with friends at the Savoy--friends who would not be likely to

forget the occasion."

The old general leaped to his feet.

"Norman," he cried, "I can not let you do this thing! I simply will

not--"

"Hush, father," said the boy wearily. "We have threshed it all out. You

have promised--"




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024