"Let us
talk about it some other day."

"I regret to say that I _must_ insist on discussing the matter now,"
retorted Borgert, stiffly. "You are aware, of course, that as the
elder man in the service I have the right, even the duty, to
remonstrate with you if I see occasion for it."

Pommer reflected a moment. In years he was the other man's senior, and
he had also visited a university for a triennium before joining the
army, while the other had simply completed the easy curriculum of the
military academy. But, true, Borgert was a twelvemonth ahead of him in
actual service. So he silently submitted.

"All right, then; to what matter do you refer, sir?"

Borgert assumed the air of a grand inquisitor.

"Accident made me, last night, witness to a scene which I am sorry to
say, Herr Comrade, I cannot otherwise describe than shocking. It was
in the most secluded spot of the grounds near the Casino. The lady in
question--"

"You need proceed no further, Herr Comrade. I know perfectly well that
I am to blame."

"May I ask you for an explanation?"

"I was intoxicated. That is the sole explanation I can offer."

"A strange one. Why, if you cannot drink without losing your
senses,--why, then, do you drink at all?"

"The fact that I was intoxicated was due in large measure to the very
gentleman I am now addressing, who would not--"

"You need not go into such details," Borgert interrupted him. "You do
not seem to understand the gravity of your offence, and it seems
necessary that I should enlighten you as a younger comrade on that
point."

Pommer felt indignant at this hypocritical lecture, but before he
could reply to it Borgert continued:

"Your offence is the most serious against comradeship which can be
conceived. Really, it would be my duty to call the attention of the
lady's husband to it if I did not trust in your sense of honor to
rectify the matter before any more mischief is done. If you will
promise me to go at once and ask the lady's pardon, and to do all in
your power to avoid any further cause for scandal, I will on my part
forbear to mention what I saw. You must know, of course, that to tell
Captain Kahle would mean a challenge, a duel, your enforced
resignation from the army, and maybe your death,--for he is a good
shot."

Borgert was very dramatic as he said this. The role of an austere
prophet, calling a sinner to repentance and amends, had all the spice
of novelty for him. Inwardly he smiled