Colonel North held up the weapon. It was an ordinary service revolver, such as is worn by an orderly when on duty without rifle, and there were many such revolvers in barracks. No soldier was supposed to have one of these revolvers, except by orders, yet it would be easy enough for any soldier to get one by stealth.
"I can't account for it, sir," Hal answered. "I didn't have it myself, or put it in the bed, and I can only guess that some one else did."
"Why should any one else do that, Corporal?"
"Possibly, sir, with a view to making me appear guilty."
"Do you suspect any one in particular?"
"No, sir; I can't imagine why any man in the room, or in the battalion, should want to do it."
"You understand, Corporal Overton, that you are not under any charge, or even suspicion, of guilt in the matter," continued the commanding officer, for Hal in truth was esteemed much too fine a young soldier to be suspected by his officers in the present case.
"Thank you, sir," Hal replied.
The inquiry was soon over and proved as resultless as that made alone by Lieutenant Greg Holmes in the middle of the night. The officers left and the men prepared to hasten out for breakfast formation.
"I never thought Overton would do a trick like that," remarked a low voice behind the young corporal, but Hal heard it.