"

"Then, as I understand you, colonel, Clancy is not to be brought to
trial for this affair," suddenly spoke the post surgeon.

Everybody looked up in surprise. "Pills" was the last man, ordinarily,
to take a hand in the "shop talk" at the morning meetings.

"No, doctor. His captain thinks it unnecessary to prefer charges."

"So do I, sir; and, as I saw the man both before and after his
confinement last night, I do not think it was necessary to confine
him."

"The officer of the day says there was great disorder," said the
colonel, in surprise.

"Ay, sir, so there was; and the thing reminds me of the stories they
used to tell on the New York police. It looked to me as though all the
row was raised by Mrs. Clancy, as Captain Rayner says; but the man was
arrested. That being the case, I would ask the captain for what specific
offence he ordered Clancy to the guard-house."

Rayner again was pale as death. He glared at the doctor in amaze and
incredulity, while all the officers noted his agitation and were silent
in surprise. It was the colonel that came to the rescue:

"Captain Rayner had abundant reason, doctor. It was after taps, though
only just after, and, whether causing the trouble or not, the man is the
responsible party, not the woman. The captain was right in causing his
arrest."

Rayner looked up gratefully.

"I submit to your decision, sir," said the surgeon, "and I apologize for
anything I may have asked that was beyond my province. Now I wish to ask
a question for my own guidance."

"Go on, doctor."

"In case an enlisted man of this command desire to see an officer of his
company,--or any other officer, for that matter,--is it a violation of
any military regulation for him to go to his quarters for that purpose?"

Again was Rayner fearfully white and aged-looking. His lips moved as
though he would interrupt; but discipline prevailed.

"No, doctor; and yet we have certain customs of service to prevent the
men going at all manner of hours and on frivolous errands: a soldier
asks his first sergeant's permission first, and if denied by him, and he
have what he considers good reason, he can report the whole case."

"But suppose a man is not on company duty: must he hunt up his first
sergeant and ask permission to go and see some officer with whom he has
business?"

"Well, hardly, in that case."

"That's all, sir." And the doctor subsided.

Among all the officers, as the meeting adjourned, th