ew minutes it was the sole topic of conversation.

Men talked of the first time they had seen Dick Smithson, and reminded
one another of his playing and the strange way in which he had joined
the regiment.

At last, as the band finished one of the pieces in the evening's
programme, the colonel, after a few words with the doctor, sent his
servant to tell Wilkins to come to the table; and, upon the bandmaster
appearing, the doctor addressed him in a serious tone, but with a
humorous twinkle of the eye.

"Is this true, Wilkins?" he said.

"I beg pardon, sir, is what true?"

"That in a fit of jealousy you have tried to pitch young Smithson into
the river, to be carried out to sea or to one of Her Majesty's ships, to
form the nucleus of a new band?"

"Not a word of truth in it, sir, I assure you. Really I--"

"Stop a moment, man! You were exceedingly jealous of him."

"Really no, sir. I only did what I thought was right to keep the boy
from growing too conceited."

"Well, of course, pitching him into the river would have that effect;
but it strikes me that it will get you into difficulties."

"Really, sir--I assure you, sir, if it was the last word I had to utter,
sir--I didn't do anything of the kind."

"Of course not, Wilkins," said the colonel, quietly; "the doctor is only
quizzing you. I cannot believe that you would be guilty of such a
dastardly act. But do you think anything of the kind has happened?"

"No, sir; I don't think such a thing could have taken place."

"I hope not; but you have heard the rumour?"

"Yes, sir; the men are talking about nothing else."

"One moment," cried the colonel; "you have seen a great deal of the
young man. Do you think he was likely to get into bad company?"

"That he wasn't, sir!" cried someone excitedly; and Jerry advanced from
where he had been waiting upon his master, and now stood close to the
colonel, gesticulating with an empty claret bottle in his hand.

"Silence, sir!" cried the colonel; "how dare you speak!"

"Beg pardon, sir; I felt abound to speak because I know Dick Smithson
isn't at all likely to go to any low places."

The colonel frowned; but he said no more, and Jerry was allowed to go
back to his place.

That night the superintendent of police was summoned to the barracks,
and had a long talk with the colonel and major.

"No, gentlemen, I don't think it is at all likely. They get down to the
rougher houses, and drink and stay a day or tw