"If any fellow took my money for a joke," announced Private William Green, "I'll call it all off if he'll be kind enough to return it."
No one accepted the offer.
"It's gone, all right, Green, evidently, and serves you right," said Sergeant Hupner gruffly.
In the course of a few minutes the corporal of the guard came back to inform Sergeant Hupner that a guard would be set, both in the corridor and outside, to prevent any man from leaving this squad room during the night. In the morning, immediately following first call to reveille, Colonel North, his adjutant and the officer of the day would visit the squad room together.
"And that's all there is to it, for to-night, men," announced Sergeant Hupner. "Every man in bed now, for I'm going to switch off the light."
Ten minutes later some of the soldiers were asleep, but not all, for presently Hupner's strong military voice boomed through the room:
"Stop that whispering! Silence until first call goes in the morning."
After first call to reveille did sound in the morning barely sixty seconds passed when the door was opened to Colonel North and the two officers accompanying him.
Then, indeed, there was a thorough examination. Each man in the room was questioned keenly by the colonel himself.
"Corporal Overton, how do you account for that revolver being in your bed?"