Chapter 14
The mirth died and in its place came a long silence. Jim Boone
stared upon Pierre with miserable eyes, and then rose and left the
room. The others one by one followed his example. d**k Wilbur in
passing dropped his hand on Pierre's shoulder. Jacqueline was
silent.
As he sat there minute after minute and then hour after hour of
the long night Pierre saw the meaning of it. If they sent word that
they would not give up Pierre it was war, and war with McGurk had
only one ending. If they sent word that Pierre was surrendered the
shame would never leave Boone and his men.
Whatever they did there was ruin for them in the end. All this
Pierre conned slowly in his mind, until he was cold. Then he looked
up and saw that the lamp had burned out and that the wood in the
firepl
