"He said——" began Hamilton.
"Live an' let live," pleaded Bones, all of a twitter. "Esprit de corps an' discretion, jolly old captain."
Hamilton looked at his subordinate steadily.
"He asked to be branded twice in order that you might not be branded once," he said quietly.
The girl stared at Bones, and her eyes were full of tears.
"Oh, Bones!" she said, with a little catch in her voice, "you ... you are a sportsman."
"Carry on," said Bones incoherently, and wept a little at the realization of that magnificent moment.