"When Sergeant Hupner directed you to rise you did so, and at the same time kicked out of your bed this revolver, which was discharged."
"Yes, sir."
"Corporal," continued Lieutenant Holmes, "it would look as though you must have some knowledge of the affair. Bear in mind that I am not making any charge against you."
"I—I should hope not, sir," stammered Hal Overton, his face growing very pallid.
"What do you know about this matter, Corporal Overton?" pressed the young officer.
"Absolutely nothing, sir, more than Sergeant Hupner has already stated to you, sir. My condition of apparent fright was due to a bad dream from which I was at the moment waking."
"And you know nothing whatever regarding the robbery from Private Green?"
"Absolutely nothing more than the rest, sir," insisted Hal, though his color continued to rise.
The young soldier felt that he was half suspected, and he felt all the awkwardness of innocence—an awkwardness that real guilt seldom displays.
"Men," it was Sergeant Hupner's voice breaking the stillness now, "if you each want to clear your own individual selves you will step forward and volunteer to have your persons and your belongings searched."