Pegleg reflected a moment, then addressed himself to Cranston. "I confess that this matter is one that causes me much embarrassment," said he. "The post surgeon says that he was not aware of the man being sent to the hospital at all, and that it was Dr. Burroughs's case. Dr. Burroughs says he did not consider the man drunk, but took Captain Devers's statement, as he knew the man well. Captain Devers asked that he be put in hospital to keep him from drinking, because he knew the prisoners got liquor whenever they had money, and it wouldn't be safe to have him in the guard-house. Is there anything peculiar about this Brannan?—any reason why he should be treated by his captain on a different system?"
"Colonel Stone," said Cranston, "I knew Brannan's mother, a wealthy and prominent woman in society. Mr. Davies can perhaps tell you even more, but I do not think Captain Devers knows anything of Brannan's past."
Leonard's dark eyes came down from the cobweb and studied Cranston's face as though he wished to ask a question, and Pegleg saw it. He leaned on Leonard, and had grown to respect his judgment.
"What were you about to ask?" said he.
"Do you know anything about the antecedents of that new company clerk of Captain Devers?" asked the adjutant, thus authorized.
"Nothing whatever," said Cranston, wheeling round in his chair and looking curiously at the big infantryman.
"Well,—pardon me, Mr. Davies. Had you never met or known him?"
"Never, except that he was one of the party of recruits I came out with last summer."
"But you knew Brannan, did you not?"
"Yes, he was the man who handled a nozzle with me in showering a pack of rioters among the recruits last June."