"I hope you're right, Overton, for I haven't an idea in the world that you are, or could be, a thief."
"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Sergeant."
Private William Green sat on a stool near the head of his cot, counting his recovered money for the third time.
"Is it all there, Green?" asked Corporal Hal, going over to the soldier.
"All but the twenty dollars that it is supposed to be shy," replied Green rather gruffly and without looking up.
"Green, I hope you haven't an idea that I'm the crook," Hal went on.
"Of course not. But there's a stack of appearances against you, just the same," replied William Green dryly.
"See here!" Hal spoke sharply, the pain ringing in his voice. "Do you really believe that I stole your money in the first place?"
"I've got most of it back, and I'd rather not express any opinions, Corporal," was Green's evasive reply.
Just at this instant Corporal Noll Terry joined the pair.