The colonel looked at Lindsay, who said:
"I have seen suspicious movements eleven times, but I should not like to swear to more than four."
"And you, Mr. Holmes?"
"I can swear to five times, but I believe he did it much oftener than that."
"What have you to say, Captain Sanders?"
"I say it is a conspiracy on the part of these four young officers to ruin me. It is a lie from beginning to end."
"I am afraid, Captain Sanders, that you will find it very difficult to persuade anyone that four officers, who as far as I know have no ill feeling against you, should conspire to bring such a charge. However, I shall report the matter to your colonel, tomorrow, with a written statement from these four officers of what they saw. He will, of course, take such steps in the matter as he thinks fit."
Without a word, Sanders turned on his heel and left the room, followed by the angry glances of all who were present.
"Mr. Bullen, you have behaved with great discretion," the colonel said, "in not making a charge on your first impression, but getting three other officers to watch that man's behaviour. Tomorrow I shall hold a court of enquiry, at which the major, the adjutant, and two other officers will sit with me. You will all, of course, be called, and will have to repeat your story in full.
"Lieutenant Gordon, I am shocked to hear that an officer of my regiment should gamble to such an extent as you have done. You will, of course, be called tomorrow. I think that, at the best, you will be advised to change into another regiment. I need not say that, after this exposure, the chits that you have given to Captain Sanders become null and void.