"No. My poor Laurie--think of him starving, freezing, perhaps dying!"
Shirley Bloodgood drew a long breath.
"And Colonel Hargraves was robbed," she murmured to herself.
"I don't think you understand," Miriam went on, breaking in upon her
thoughts. "Of course I don't believe that Laurie is guilty of the things
they charge him with; but he must come back and stand trial and be
acquitted--and I must stand by his side through it all." She broke down
completely.
"On the evidence they have," Shirley returned, trying to comfort her,
"they'll----"
"What's that?" inquired Mrs. Challoner, starting up nervously, in alarm.
"It's that horrible bell ringing again," she went on breathlessly.
"Don't you hear voices below? Listen--I thought I heard...."