Part 3 (1/2)
”No, sir,” d.i.c.k said awkwardly. ”I felt to see if they were in my pocket when I left the camp.”
The Colonel's face hardened.
”Did you come straight here?”
”No, sir. I had an hour or two's leave.”
”And spent it with your friends? Had you anything to drink?”
”Yes, sir.”
”As much as, or more than, usual?”
”Perhaps a little more,” d.i.c.k said in confusion.
The Colonel studied him with searching eyes; and then took some paper from a case on the table and began to write. He put the note in an envelope and gave it to d.i.c.k.
”It's your Commanding Officer's business to investigate the matter and you'll take him this. Report yourself to him or to the Adjutant when you reach camp. I'll telegraph to see if you have done so.”
He raised his hand in sign of dismissal and d.i.c.k went out, crushed with shame, and feeling that he was already under arrest. If he were not in camp when the telegram came, he would be treated as a deserter.
CHAPTER III
THE PUNISHMENT
On reaching camp and reporting himself, d.i.c.k was sent to his tent, where he slept until he was aroused by the bustle at reveille. He had not expected to sleep; but he was young and physically tired, and the shock of trouble had, as sometimes happens, a numbing effect. He awoke refreshed and composed, though his heart was heavy as he dressed, because he feared it was the last time that he would wear his country's uniform.
The suspense was trying as he waited until the morning parade was over; then he was summoned to a tent where the Colonel and the Adjutant sat.
”I have a telegram asking if you have arrived,” the Colonel said in a curious, dry tone. ”You must understand that you have laid yourself open to grave suspicion.”
”Yes,” d.i.c.k answered, wondering whether the Colonel meant that it might have been better if he had run away.
”Very well. You admitted having received the plans. What did you do with them?”
”b.u.t.toned them into the left pocket of my coat. When I got to Storeton, the envelope was gone.”
”How do you account for that?”
”I can't account for it, sir.”
The Colonel was silent for a few moments, and then he looked fixedly at d.i.c.k.
”Your statements were very unsatisfactory last night, and now that you have had time to think over the matter, I advise you to be frank. It's plain that you have been guilty of gross negligence, but that is not the worst. The drawings are of no direct use to the enemy, but if they fell into their hands they might supply a valuable hint of the use to which we mean to put the pontoons. You see what this implies?”
”I don't know how we mean to use them, sir, and I don't want to hide anything.”
”That's a wise resolve,” the Colonel answered meaningly; and d.i.c.k colored. After all, there was something he meant to hide.