"I suppose the explanation would be simple enough if we only knew it," answered John.
Ewins shook his head.
"I don't like it, sir. I was pretty wild that morning, thinking some of these young recruits had been messing about, but the same thing had happened to number six and eight." He pointed to a lower platform, beyond where the sentry was passing. "They went wrong that same morning," he continued.
"And got right again in the same mysterious way?" inquired John.
"Yes, sir."
"You don't think any of your cleaning squad had a hand in it?" inquired John.
"No, sir; I talked pretty straight to them, but it wasn't them."
"Perhaps you have an enemy in the fort, Ewins?"
The old soldier smiled.
"I don't know about that, sir," he said; "but everybody seems pretty friendly with me. I have been here a long time, sir."