to wear them
under such circumstances.

At last Hal was sworn. He told the truth, briefly, clearly, accurately.
Then a shady lawyer engaged by the Hepburns undertook to cross-examine
the young lieutenant. Hal's testimony was not to be shaken in the
slightest detail. The lawyer resorted to abuse, but Hal kept his temper.
Major Elbert took a hand, warning the lawyer that he must keep his
speech within the limits of gentlemanly use.

Noll went on the stand and told his story. It did not differ from Hal's
in any detail, nor was young Terry to be shaken by cross-examination.

Still it was the testimony of two witnesses against that of a dozen
witnesses.

Then the policeman who had interfered was called to the stand. He had
not witnessed the affray, and so could give no testimony as to whether
Lieutenant Overton or Bunny Hepburn had started the affair.

Chief Blake followed.

"Do you know anything of the affray itself?" questioned Major Elbert.

"Nothing," admitted the chief.

The Hepburn lawyer settled back in his chair with a dark look of
satisfaction.

"In what way, Chief," queried the major, "do you feel that you can aid
this court in arriving at a proper decision?"

"I am here, sir, to testify, if desired, to the characters borne by the
complainants and by the defendants."

Chief Blake then went on to state that he had known Lieutenants Overton
and Terry for many years, with the exception of the time that they had
been absent serving in the Regular Army. The chief stated that the
character of each young man was above reproach.

"What do you know regarding any of the complaining witnesses?" inquired
Major Elbert.

"I object!" shouted the Hepburn lawyer, rising.

"To what do you object?" inquired the major mildly, glancing at the
lawyer. "To having the characters of the complaining witnesses stated?"

"We object, may it please the court, on the ground that the chief of
police is not qualified to express a competent opinion."

"We will hear what Chief Blake has to say," decided the president of the
court, "and we will pass on the value of his evidence later on."

"'Bject!" snapped the lawyer.

"Be good enough, sir, to sit down!"

Chief Blake began his statement by explaining that the elder Hepburn had
been for years a notorious local character----

"'Bject!" shouted the lawyer.

"Sit down, sir"--from the president of the court.

Chief Blake continued his testimony, producing copies of official
r