“I hope,” said the captain, “that you’ve brought with you the charges against Barriscale. It’s high time something was done.”
“No,” was the reply. “I haven’t drawn any charges. I’ve decided not to present any.”
In his surprise Captain Murray thrust himself up on his elbow, but he only winced now at the pain it gave him.
“What do you mean?” he asked. “Don’t you know that the man is guilty?”
“Perhaps he is. But I believe he was more than half justified in what he did. As I think of it now, my only wonder is that any man in the company had any confidence in me, or was willing to follow me or obey my orders.”
The captain looked his first lieutenant in the eyes and was silent. Evidently he was impressed with what McCormack had said. For when he spoke again his manner was mild and he exhibited little impatience.
“But, if you don’t court-martial him what will you do with him?” he asked. “It’ll never do to let such a breach of discipline go unnoticed.”
“I propose to turn him over to you for admonition under the Army Regulations.”
“And what shall I do with him?”