“Who was he with?”
“Some friend, sir; not a cadet, however.”
“Did you know him?”
“Yes, sir,” said Perry hesitatingly, for he, like Mark Merrill, did not care to say aught against Clemmons.
“It was the youth who was dismissed from the academy, was it not?”
“Yes, sir; Breslin.”
“What did Merrill pick a quarrel with him for?”
“Merrill pick a quarrel with Breslin, sir?” asked Perry, in amazement.
“Yes.”
“It was the opposite way, sir, for Merrill sought to avoid him; but Breslin stepped directly in his path, and demanded to know if he knew him and meant to cut his acquaintance. Mr. Merrill responded in the affirmative, and Breslin struck at him, but missed, and went down with a suddenness and force that made his teeth rattle. I drew Mr. Merrill quickly away, and that ended it, sir.”