Wegstetten reassured him: "You mustn't think I was serious, Schumann. I know better than any one what you've gone through and what I have to thank you for, and I shall wish you good luck with all my heart when you go. But you must feel for me, and understand how hard it will be for me to do with-out you. If I only knew who could take your place!"
The sergeant-major shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, speak out; you know the men better even than I do."
Schumann hesitated a little, and then said: "You know yourself, sir; Heppner is the next in seniority."
"Of course," said Wegstetten rather testily, "I know that. But I know, too, that you have something in your mind against him. What's the matter with Heppner? Isn't he steady in his work and first-rate in the stables?"
The sergeant-major answered slowly: "In his work, and as far as the horses are concerned--oh, yes."
"But----?"
Schumann shrugged his shoulders again.
The captain began to be angry. "Good God, man! so----" but he swallowed the sentence and continued more mildly: "Look here, Schumann. I'm not asking you for any gossip about your comrades; I only speak in the interest of the service. What is all this about Heppner? Is it that story about his wife and his sister-in-law?"
"No, sir, that's his private affair. But he won't do for the office, or to--to assist in money matters."