"Dowley, you know very well that the rules forbid a member of the guard from talking with a prisoner, except when the talk is strictly in the line of duty."
With that Soldier Hal turned and went back to his book.
"You could have gotten out of that place in Mason City when I told you to," went on Dowley hoarsely. "Then all that followed would never have happened."
Hal went on reading.
"Say, Hooper," muttered Dowley aloud to the man in another cell, "as a fresh kid ain't that fellow the end of the world?"
"He's a boot-lick," jeered Hooper.
"He just sneaks around the officers, telling 'em lies so as to get things easier for himself," broke in Corporal Minturn from still another cell. For these three, unlike the ordinary run of guard-house prisoners, had been placed in separate confinement.
Hal read on, though the color mounted to his cheeks.
"You dirty dog!" cried Dowley hoarsely.