By means of stringent discipline, and even severity, he
succeeded in this more easily than he himself had expected, and soon
began to notice with satisfaction that his labour was gradually bearing
fruit.

After a time the fifth battery could be ranged alongside the pattern
fourth and sixth batteries. Major Schrader rubbed his hands cheerfully:
to have three such excellent officers commanding batteries in one
division at the same time was indeed unusual good fortune, and he well
knew how to make use of them.

At the spring inspection he received a string of compliments at least a
yard long from the commander of the brigade, and in his joy showered
thanks upon Guentz for having helped him to achieve such a success.
Guentz himself was greatly pleased that the inspection had gone so
smoothly. He had not been sure that this would be so, as he did not
feel his battery quite well enough in hand even yet.

"Yes, it went off tolerably, didn't it, sir?" he replied modestly.

"Faultlessly! faultlessly!" said the major.

"Well, sir, it was partly good luck. The officer in command of a
battery is right in the middle of it all, and sees lots of things which
look as if they might go wrong. Then some happy accident occurs, and
the situation is saved."

The major, however, seemed to have something more on his mind, and
stood stroking his whiskers in embarrassment.

"Certainly, certainly," he answered. "A man must have good luck, or he
will have bad! But your merit is there all the same, my dear Guentz."

And then he continued, rather haltingly: "And therefore, you know, it
is all the more painful to me. But there is something more behind.
These superior officers never seem to give unstinted praise."

Guentz's hand went up to his helmet, and he said, in a level voice: "Of
course I am at your orders, sir."

"No, no, my dear Guentz," said Schrader, deprecatingly; "the colonel is
kind enough to undertake the unpleasant part of my duty for me, and I
am glad of it; for it would have been very much against the grain with
me. Well, well! just you go quietly to the colonel, and don't worry
about it at all. Thank you, my dear Guentz. Good morning, good morning!"

He turned towards his quarters, and from the steps nodded in friendly
fashion to the captain.

Guentz did feel a little anxious about the interview which lay before
him. He was conscious of having performed his duty to the best of his
ability. But heaven knows what command