f ten."

"Well, here!" said Button impulsively, "here are you and Stannard and
Sumter--three of the 'old liners,' as you are called in your respective
grades--and I see plainly enough you three, and God knows how many more,
are tacitly condemning my attitude toward Lanier. You think, if you
don't say, that I have treated him with harshness and injustice--have
listened solely to his accusers and enemies. Now, I've had enough of
this! There is nothing that _requires_ a commander to show his hand to
his subordinates, but as matters stand in this regiment--Oh, come in,
Major Stannard. I sent for you purposely, and Sumter as well, to meet me
here at tattoo." (And at the moment, as the united force of field
musicians began the stirring strains of the old cavalry "curfew call,"
"The March of the Bear," the two seniors solemnly entered the presence,
removing their fur caps as they bowed to the commander.) "As I was
saying to Barker, as matters stand in this regiment, some half a dozen
at least of the men referred to as its 'representative officers' are
apparently resentful of my arrest of Lieutenant Lanier, and attribute my
course to pique, because he saw fit to show himself at the hop I
declined to permit him as officer-of-the-guard to attend. You think,
possibly, that because men like Captain Snaffle, Lieutenant Crane, and
one or two of that set have been in consultation with me, the matters at
issue are beneath your notice." (Here the three assailed officers
exchanged glances, but said not a word in protest, for the colonel went
impulsively on.) "They at least are loyal to their commander, and to the
best interests of the regiment. Now I mean to show you. Mr. Barker,"
said he impressively, "go to Lieutenant Lanier and say that I desire his
presence here at once."

And Barker took his cap and cape and departure without a word.

Down the line in the moonlight the snow heaps were sparkling as though
crusted with brilliants. The black square of the field music was
trudging out across an acre of the parade swept clean by the recent
gale. The children, in laughing little groups, were returning from their
hour at the slide, and here and there from the deep cut or tunnel in
front of each officer's doorway dark muffled figures were emerging, and
striding away toward the barracks--subalterns en route to the companies
to supervise roll-call.

Just as Barker neared Stannard's, at the head of the row, two cloaked
and hooded forms hur