"The special relations existing between Miss Gillis and myself chance to be no business of yours.

However, I will consent to say this--I do enjoy a relationship to her that gives me complete authority to say what I have said to you.

I regret having been obliged by your persistency to speak with such plainness, but this knowledge should prove sufficient to control the actions of a gentleman." For a moment the soldier did not answer, his emotions far too strong to permit of calm utterance, his lips tightly shut.

He felt utterly defeated.

"Your language is sufficiently explicit," he acknowledged, at last.