Brownell took him in hand for cross-examination.
“You and the defendant were rival candidates last year for the office of first lieutenant, were you not?”
“I was a candidate,” replied the witness sharply. “I believe the defendant was one also.”
“And the defendant won out?”
“By one vote, yes.”
“And you felt pretty sore about it?”
“I felt humiliated and outraged because his rank was inferior to mine, and, holding the opinions he did and does, he had no right to the office.”
“And you declared, at the time of the election, in the presence of the entire company, that either McCormack would be dismissed from the Guard or you would get out of it; that you would refuse to serve in the same company with him; you said that, did you not?”
“I did, and I repeat it now. He’s not a fit man for any loyal Guardsman to serve with or under.”
Barriscale’s voice, resonant with wrath, reached to every corner of the room. The members of the court glanced at one another in apparent surprise and apprehension.