Colonel Appleby regarded the party with keen appraising gaze, and saw that he was dealing with people of refinement.
“Which one did the shooting?” he demanded finally.
“I did,” answered Stacy, standing up.
“Explain how you came to discharge your rifle.”
Stacy did so, telling the story of the incident exactly as it had occurred. He saw that it would be futile to try to impress the colonel with his importance. The officer listened attentively.
“Did you hit the bear?”
“I—I guess I didn’t. I couldn’t see very well in the darkness,” answered Chunky rather lamely.
“I am positive that he did not hit a bear,” volunteered Lieutenant Wingate.
“Mr. Wingate struck up the shooter’s arm as he was taking his second shot,” interjected Tom.
The colonel regarded Tom shrewdly, with the suspicion of a twinkle in his eyes.