It is a shameful trick! I know they would not have dared treat all men so, but they think they may put their despite upon me!" He ground his teeth, and then broke out into strange wild talk which Tom did not understand, though it inspired him with a sense of great anger against those in high places.
Moreover, he was not a little disturbed on his own account by the failure of Lord Claud.

How should he pay his debts?
How should he live himself?
Had he not risked his life for the sake of his country?
Had he not suffered scourging and sickness on her behalf?
It took very little of Lord Claud's fire to kindle an answering flame in his own heart.

His anger was always readily stirred, and his appreciation of his own merit caused him to feel the more hot and aggrieved.
"Tom," said Lord Claud suddenly, "there is one other way.

If you have a clear head, a strong arm, and a stout heart, there is yet a hope that we may gain our ends." Tom looked up eagerly.

He saw something in Lord Claud's face which seemed to him strange, and which inspired him with a sense of keen, quick curiosity and excitement.