"Did you recognize no one—did you hear no voice—see nothing by which you could identify any one?" he asked.
"No, sir; it was all done quick as a flash. I didn't hear a thing."
"Have you had any difficulty with anybody? Had you any inkling that this was to happen?"
Graham hesitated. He knew the cadet rule: "The truth and nothing but the truth." Indeed, he had never known any other. He knew also that were he to mention Mr. Woods's name in this connection, it meant court-martial, in all probability, for Woods. What he did not know was that that young gentleman was perfectly well aware of the fact, and for two reasons had had nothing whatsoever to do with the attack: one was that in the event of investigation he would be the first suspected; the other that, having taken exceptions to Mr. Graham's retort to the extent of demanding "satisfaction," he was now debarred by cadet etiquette from molesting him—except in one way.
"I'm waiting for your answer, Mr. Graham," said the lieutenant.
"Well, sir, I suppose every new cadet has difficulty with the old ones. This was nothing that I care to speak about."
"With whom had you any trouble, sir? Who threatened you in any way?"
Geordie hesitated, then respectfully but firmly said:
"You may have to say, Mr. Graham, should a court of inquiry be ordered."
But Pops knew enough of army life to understand that courts of inquiry were rare and extraordinary means of investigation. He stood respectfully before his inquisitor, but stood in silence, as, indeed, Mr. Allen rather expected he would do.
"Very well. You can post Mr. Graham again," said he, finally; "and you will be held responsible, Mr. Officer of the Guard, in the event of further annoyance to him to-night."
But there was none. At half-past three the relief came around, and Geordie turned over his post to Connell. There was some chuckling and laughter and covert glances on the part of old cadets when they went to breakfast, and Benny Frazier was full of eager inquiry as to what had become of his rifle and equipments. But Geordie was still very sore over his discomfiture, and would say nothing at all. No sooner had the detail broken ranks, after being marched into Company B's street on the dismissal of the old guard, than the drum-boy orderly appeared and told Geordie the commandant wished to see him.