"I don't know," said Blake, more seriously, and with a tone of concern. "I like Rayner, and have found most of those fellows thorough gentlemen and good friends. This will test the question thoroughly. I believe most of them, except of course Rayner, would do the same were they in my place. At all events, I mean to see."
"What are you going to do, Gregg?" asked "the mole," wheeling suddenly on his brother troop-commander.
"I don't know," said Gregg, doubtfully. "I think I'll ask the colonel."
"What do you suppose he means to do?"
"I don't know again; but I'll bet we all know as soon as he makes up his mind; and he is making up his mind now,—or he's made it up, for there goes Mr. Hayne, and here comes the orderly. Something's up already."
Every head was turned to the door-way as the orderly's step was heard in the outer hall, and every voice stilled to hear the message, it was so unusual for the commanding officer to send for one of his subordinates after the morning meeting. The soldier tapped at the panel, and at the prompt "Come in" pushed it partly open and stood with one white-gloved hand resting on the knob, the other raised to his cap-visor in salute.
"Lieutenant Blake?" he asked, as he glanced around.
"What is it?" asked Blake, stepping quickly from the window.
"The commanding officer's compliments, sir, and could he see the lieutenant one minute before the court meets?"
"Coming at once," said Blake, as he pushed his way through the chairs, and the orderly faced about and disappeared.