“Indeed!” he inquired calmly. “On what ground?”
“On the ground of disloyalty to the Guard and treason to the flag.”
“So! And if I don’t oppose you?”
“Then I’ll let you alone, as I have done. And when your time’s up you can get out of the service quietly, without disgrace.”
“I see. In other words you would buy me off.”
“Call it what you choose. I’ve no doubt you’re purchasable.”
McCormack came a step closer to the first sergeant and looked him squarely in the eyes.
“Barriscale,” he said quietly, “I have decided to be a candidate for the office of first lieutenant of Company E.”
So the die was cast. The contest was on. Threats, insolence and insult had accomplished what the entreaties of friends and relations had failed to bring about.