“Take a look down in that hollow,” suggested Jerry. As he pointed to indicate the place to Ned, they both saw two figures in a crouching attitude on the ground. They were two men, one in the unmistakable uniform of a soldier, and the other a civilian. And they appeared to be in close conversation.
“What’s that?” asked Ned in a low voice.
“That’s what we’ve got to find out,” returned Jerry. “I was just wondering whether to challenge or not.”
“Maybe we can find out who they are first,” suggested Ned. “If it’s just a couple of boys out late.”
“That’s what I was going to do,” said Jerry.
“But one seems to be a civilian, and he hasn’t any right around camp at this hour.”
“I’m going over and take a look.” Jerry spoke now with decision.
“I’ll go with you,” offered Ned. “It’s about midway of both our posts.”
Jerry and Ned wanted to do their duty, as they had been instructed by their officers, but, at the same time, if by a little avoidance of a strict rendering of the rules they could help out an indiscreet fellow soldier, they were tempted to do that. It all depended on what was taking place over there in the dark hollow.