He paused as though hoping that Scott Clemmons would ask:

“Or what?”

But Clemmons remained silent, and with a determined look in his face, Breslin finished his sentence with the words:

“Or—you go with me, Clemmons.”

Half an hour after Barney Breslin left his room, and went to the commandant’s quarters.

He met an orderly at the door, who said politely:

“I was just going to seek you, sir, for the commandant wishes to see you.”

The next moment Breslin crossed the threshold with a look upon his face that expressed plainly his thought: “He who enters here leaves Hope behind.”

The commandant was there, and so were a number of officers, all wearing a serious look upon their faces.

Breslin saluted promptly and awaited the commandant’s pleasure.