XII.
There was an unusual scene at the matinée the following morning. When Captain Ray relieved Captain Gregg as officer of the day, and the two were visiting the guard-house and turning over prisoners, they came upon the last name on the list,—Clancy,—and Gregg turned to his regimental comrade and said,—
"No charges are preferred against Clancy, at least none as yet, Captain Ray; but his company commander requests that he be held here until he can talk over his case with the colonel."
"What's he in for?" demanded Captain Ray.
"Getting drunk and raising a row and beating his wife," answered Gregg; whereat there was a titter among the soldiers.
"I never shtruck a woman in me life, sir," said poor Clancy.
"Silence, Clancy!" ordered the sergeant of the guard.
"No, I'm blessed if I believe that part of it, Clancy, drunk or no drunk," said the new officer of the day.—"Take charge of him for the present, sergeant." And away they went to the office.
Captain Rayner was in conversation with the commanding officer as they entered, and the colonel was saying,—