“The officer of the day says there was great disorder,” said the colonel, in surprise.

“Ay, sir, so there was; and the thing reminds me of the stories they used to tell on the New York police.  It looked to me as though all the row was raised by Mrs. Clancy, as Captain Rayner says; but the man was arrested.  That being the case, I would ask the captain for what specific offence he ordered Clancy to the guard-house.”

Rayner again was pale as death.  He glared at the doctor in amaze and incredulity, while all the officers noted his agitation and were silent in surprise.  It was the colonel that came to the rescue: 

“Captain Rayner had abundant reason, doctor.  It was after taps, though only just after, and, whether causing the trouble or not, the man is the responsible party, not the woman.  The captain was right in causing his arrest.”

Rayner looked up gratefully.

“I submit to your decision, sir,” said the surgeon, “and I apologize for anything I may have asked that was beyond my province.  Now I wish to ask a question for my own guidance.”

“Go on, doctor.”

“In case an enlisted man of this command desire to see an officer of his company,—­or any other officer, for that matter,—­is it a violation of any military regulation for him to go to his quarters for that purpose?”

Again was Rayner fearfully white and aged-looking.  His lips moved as though he would interrupt; but discipline prevailed.

“No, doctor; and yet we have certain customs of service to prevent the men going at all manner of hours and on frivolous errands:  a soldier asks his first sergeant’s permission first, and if denied by him, and he have what he considers good reason, he can report the whole case.”

“But suppose a man is not on company duty:  must he hunt up his first sergeant and ask permission to go and see some officer with whom he has business?”

“Well, hardly, in that case.”

“That’s all, sir.”  And the doctor subsided.

Among all the officers, as the meeting adjourned, the question was, “What do you suppose ‘Pills’ was driving at?”

There were two or three who knew.  Captain Rayner went first to his quarters, where he had a few moments’ hurried consultation with his wife; then they left the house together,—­he to have a low-toned and very stern talk to rather than with the abashed Clancy, who listened cap in hand and with hanging head; she to visit the sick child of Mrs. Flanigan, of Company K, whose quarters adjoined those to which the Clancys had recently been assigned.  When that Hibernian culprit returned to his roof-tree, released from durance vile, he was surprised to receive a kindly and sympathetic welcome from his captain’s wife, who with her own hand had mixed him some comforting drink and was planning with Mrs. Clancy for their greater comfort.  “If Clancy will only promise to quit entirely!” interjected the partner of his joys and sorrows.