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 Mr. Warburton wheeled and came back to the fireplace, looking hungrily down at my lord’s impassive countenance. With an effort he seemed to control himself.

“Master Jack, I had better tell you what you have already guessed. I know.”

Up went one haughty eyebrow.

“You know what, Mr. Warburton?”

“That you are innocent!”

“Of what, Mr. Warburton?”

“Of cheating at cards, sir!”

My lord relaxed, and flicked a speck of dust from his great cuff.

“I regret the necessity of having to disillusion you, Mr. Warburton.”

“My lord, do not fence with me, I beg! You can trust me, surely?”

“Certainly, sir.”

“Then do not keep up this pretence with me; no, nor look so hard neither! I’ve watched you grow up right from the cradle, and Master Dick too, and I know you both through and through. I know you never cheated at Colonel Dare’s nor anywhere else! I could have sworn it at the time—ay, when I saw Master Dick’s face, I knew at once that he it was who had played foul, and you had but taken the blame!”

“No!”

“I know better! Can you, Master Jack, look me in the face and truthfully deny what I have said? Can you? Can you?”

My lord sat silent.

With a sigh, Warburton sank on to the settle once more. He was flushed, and his eyes shone, but he spoke calmly again.

“Of course you cannot. I have never known you lie. You need not fear I shall betray you. I kept silence all these years for my lord’s sake, and I will not speak now until you give me leave.”

“Which I never shall.”