, and ran over to Senior-lieutenant Brettschneider to
report the completion of his task.

Brettschneider was standing at the edge of the parade-ground in the
shade of the baggage-shed, talking to Senior-lieu-tenant Reimers.

It was only while he was running that Vogt first noticed how severely
he had strained himself. His heart hammered as though it would burst
from his body, and his legs were trembling. With the back of his hand
he wiped the sweat from his brow, and drew himself up in the prescribed
fashion as he reported: "Gun six ready, sir. Pole mended and spare
wheel fixed."

As through a mist he saw that Senior-lieutenant Reimers was smiling a
little, probably at his over-heated appearance. Then suddenly he heard
the sharp high voice of Brettschneider.

"Please stand in a more respectful attitude, Bombardier Vogt, when you
have something to say to me," the voice snapped out.

Vogt pulled himself up and repeated his announcement.

But now the senior-lieutenant began to correct him and find fault with
him: he was to put his right shoulder higher, his cap was not straight,
he must place the tip of his little finger on his trouser-seam, and put
his feet wider apart.

"Straighten your knees!" commanded he at last.

Vogt felt how his legs were trembling. He might have been able to obey;
but he was at the end of his patience.

Brettschneider again and in a louder tone commanded: "Bombardier Vogt,
straighten your knees!"

But Vogt did not care; a mad resentment surged up in him. He would not
obey this idiot at any price. He raised his head, and looked the
officer straight in the face with eyes full of open mutiny.

Brettschneider shouted again: "Bombardier Vogt, I order you to
straighten your knees. Do you know that you are being guilty of
disobedience to orders, and that that is a military crime?"

But Bombardier Vogt remained unmoved, with his mutinous eyes fixed on
the senior-lieutenant.

Brettschneider waited a few seconds, then he called quietly to one of
the corporals: "Put Bombardier Vogt under arrest!"

The corporal looked blankly, first at Brettschneider, then at Vogt.

The senior-lieutenant repeated his order, whereupon the corporal took
the bombardier by his right arm and marched away with him through the
gate into the courtyard of the barrack.

When they were out of hearing, Reimers turned to his companion: "Were
you not a little hard on him, Brettschneider?"

The clean-shaven face turned