"But you know his signature?"
"I can't say I do, sir; but he has just written a card; perhaps you would like to have a look at it."
He searched his bundle, found the card and handed it to the captain, who compared the two signatures.
"This is very odd," he said. "They are very much alike, but there's a slight difference in the shape of the y. It looks as though some one were imitating your fist, Murgatroyd."
"Yes, sir," said Ginger, stiffly. "I'd like to punch his head, sir," he added, as the baseness of the trick struck him.
"Well, we must find out who it is. Keep this to yourselves, men; he may try it again and give us a chance to catch him. Not a word to anyone, mind."
Ginger saluted and returned to his billet, his indignation growing at every step.
The incident was discussed at the officers' mess that night.
"Murgatroyd is straight enough," said Kennedy. "He's one of the best men in my platoon. It's rather a mean trick."
"And a senseless one," said the captain. "I'm inclined to think one of the men must owe him a grudge, and want to get him into trouble."