nature against you, and to
urge your trial by general court-martial. But such is my regard for
these gentlemen, and the element they represent, that I stand ready to
abandon my views and adopt theirs on your simple word. Can I say more?"

There was a moment of silence. Then Lanier spoke: "It depends, sir, I
think, upon what you wish me to answer."

Button colored. Turning to his desk, he took from an envelope several
newspaper clippings. "You know what these are, doubtless, Mr. Lanier. Do
you care to say what part you took in their preparation?"

"I am glad to say I took no part," was the answer.

"No part at all? And you do not even know the author?"

Lanier's dark eyes never swerved from their gaze. "I took no part, sir.
I did not say--I do not wish to say--that I do not know the author," was
the calm reply.

"Then you admit, or permit me to infer, that you know him--a member of
this command, for no one else knew the facts--and, moreover, that you
shield him?"

"I am shielding no man, Colonel Button. I would not shield a member of
this command who wrote such wrong of it."

"Yet you know the author and you will not tell?"

"What little I know came in such a way that I _cannot_ tell," was the
resolute answer. Button's forehead furrowed deep and his voice trembled
with anger.

"Enough said--or refused to be said--on that head. We will go to the
next. Who personated you the night you left your troop at Laramie and
went, contrary to orders, to that frolic at the post?"

A look of amaze came into the young officer's face. The answer came
slowly, painfully:

"I took part in no frolic, sir. I went contrary to an order that had
held good while we were out on the campaign, but that we did not suppose
was binding there. I went to the post that night to help a fr--a man
who--who needed money for an immediate journey. No one personated me to
my knowledge."

"I have the written report of the officer-of-the-day, whom I ordered to
inspect your tent, that you were there asleep at eleven P.M.
Subsequently I learned that you were away from taps until nearly
reveille."

"You could have heard that from me, sir, and _why_ I was gone, if need
be." And now it was plain that Mr. Lanier was growing angry. This was a
point gained by the colonel. He tried for another.

"Officers who make comrades and intimates of enlisted men take chances
that----"

"Colonel Button!" interposed Lanier, hotly, "I protest----"

"Protest you