*

The explanation of all this conversation is a very simple one. We
remember that First Lieutenant Borgert, before seeking fresh fields
for his energy, had made up his mind to get even with Captain Koenig
for that curt letter in which the captain had refused to accede to
Leimann's request for another large loan.

Misled by the captain's own words on a previous occasion of similar
kind, he had taken it for granted that Koenig had really been guilty of
diverting some of the moneys under his care to oblige a needy
comrade,--Borgert himself. In his vindictiveness he had spared no
pains in the course of his conversations with fellow-officers at the
Casino to spread rumors as to this alleged fact, magnifying the matter
or distorting its details, as it suited his purpose; and even after
Borgert's flight these rumors had been scattered broadcast by the idle
tongue of gossip. Finally, they had filtered down and become the theme
of general conversation. The colonel, too, had heard of the matter,
and, in his present condition of extreme nervousness regarding the
reputation of the regiment, that worthy had deemed it his duty to go
to the root of it.

Koenig himself had had no occasion to clear himself of all this
gathering suspicion, for in his presence the wagging tongues became
mute. Borgert had maliciously misrepresented Koenig so much in his
talks with the junior officers as to create quite a strong feeling
against him. He had stated that Koenig, although abundantly able to
help some momentarily embarrassed comrades out of their troubles, had
not only refused point-blank, but had added insult to injury. Such
supposed behavior, since Borgert's tales had found credence, had cost
Koenig the sympathy of the majority of the officers, and now that
trouble had overtaken him, many of them rejoiced at the fact.
Lieutenant Bleibtreu would have informed his squadron chief of the
unpleasant rumors circulating, but ill luck would have it that that
faithful junior happened to be off on leave of absence. He did not
correspond with any of his fellow-officers during his leave, and knew
nothing of the matter until after Koenig's arrest.

It was only by furnishing an extravagantly high amount of bail that
Koenig temporarily regained his liberty, having spent some ten days in
jail meanwhile. By the colonel's order he was then suspended from
active duty and compelled to await the outcome of the accusation in
his own home. At first Koenig wa