Corporal Shrimp stood surveying him angrily.

"Making faces at me, are ye, ye Army-lawyer?" howled Shrimp, springing
toward Hal.

He launched a blow full at the young rookie. Private Overton, who had
some knowledge of boxing and of its companion foot-work, stepped aside.

But as Shrimp recovered and prepared to launch another blow, Hal Overton
threw his hands up at guard.

Then recollecting that he was a private soldier, under discipline, Hal
let his hands fall uselessly at his side, while a hot flush of shame
mounted to his brow.

"Going to hit me, were ye?" sneered Shrimp, in an ugly tone. "It's well
ye didn't! Now, stand where ye are till I take some of the conceit out
of ye!"

Shrimp raised his right fist deliberately.

"Corporal!"

There was no mistaking that crisp tone. It was one of sharp command.
Sergeant Brimmer, who had just opened the door and looked in, now came
striding down the squad room.

"Corporal, stand at attention!"

Shrimp wheeled about, coming to the position of the soldier as he faced
the sergeant. But the corporal's countenance was still as black as
thunder. Sergeant Brimmer, too, was thoroughly angry, though righteously
so.

"Corporal Shrimp, you're in arrest for striking at and humiliating a
private soldier. Come with me to the company commander."

"Now, see here, Sergeant," began Shrimp hoarsely, "you don't know what I
have to put up with with these rookies. I have to do something to keep
discipline among men who are new to barracks. I----"

"Hold your tongue and come with me," insisted Sergeant Brimmer crisply.

There was no disregarding that angry, authoritative tone. As the
sergeant wheeled Shrimp turned and went with him, as though stricken
suddenly dumb.

"Good enough!" rose a cry, as the door closed on the two non-coms.

"Got what he needs," muttered some one else.

"I hope he stays in arrest," added another rookie. "This squad room was
a good deal like a madhouse when the sergeant wasn't here."

Twenty minutes went by before the door opened to admit Sergeant Brimmer
on his return.

"Now, men, come close. I want to tell you a few things," began the
sergeant. "The first is this. No non-commissioned officer has any right
to swear at any of you. It is in violation of regulations. If any
non-commissioned officer calls you vile names, or swears at you, it is
your right, and your duty, too, to report it to the non-commissioned
officer in charge of the squad room. If he