“Do I understand, sir,” inquired the sergeant major, with quiet respect, “that you are accusing me of a failure in duty?”
“I am saying that if the regulations were observed my batman and others would not be so frequently drunk, and the enforcing of these regulations, I understand, is a part of your duty.”
“Then, sir,” replied the sergeant major, “perhaps I had better report myself to the Commanding Officer.”
“You can please yourself,” said Barry, shortly, as he turned away.
“Very good, sir,” replied the sergeant major. “I shall report myself at once.”
The day following, the chaplain received an order to appear before the O. C. in the orderly room.
“Captain Dunbar, I understand that you are making a charge against Sergeant Major McFetteridge,” was Colonel Leighton's greeting.
“I am making no charge against any one, sir,” replied Barry quietly.
“What do you say to that, Sergeant Major McFetteridge?”
In reply, the sergeant major gave a full and fair statement of the passage between the chaplain and himself the day before.