"We're not exactly friends. He foolishly believes that I had something to do with his disgrace, and he has done his best to injure me. Under the circumstances, I couldn't very well say anything. I wouldn't speak now, except for the fact that 'Bob' is interested in him and--well, I'm interested in 'Bob.'" "She's been interested in him from the first. I don't see that the circumstances are much different than they have been," Tom said, sourly. "Put it down to jealousy, if you wish." Henry was impatient. "And I don't know as 'Bob' ever encouraged you to think--" "Perhaps not. But she is the only woman I ever saw that I'd make Mrs. Nelson." "What was it he did?" "'Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman' is the way the record stands. That covers a lot." "Did he welch--quit under fire?" "No." "Steal something?" "No." "Woman scrape?" "There was--a woman concerned. Pretty nasty mess, Tom. He's the sort of man to intrigue any foolish woman. Women can't see far." "I s'pose so." Mr. Parker rose stiffly. "But we don't have to worry about 'Bob.' She ain't foolish and her eyesight is good. She's got more sense than all three of us men." With this noncommittal remark the father limped out. But Tom was more deeply troubled than he had shown. Nothing to be said against a man could have weighed more heavily with him than this particular charge. To a man of his type dereliction of duty was a crime; dishonorable discharge from the army of his country was an appalling indictment implying utter moral turpitude. Tom had known more than one fellow who was guilty of conduct unbecoming a gentleman--as a matter of fact, he had reason to respect certain of them for some of their ungentlemanly conduct--but conduct unbecoming an officer was something altogether different. He had never met but one such, and he had shot that fellow just above the bridge of the nose. A traitor to his oath of office, a man who could dishonor his state, his country, was worse than a renegade; his name was a hissing upon the lips of decent people. Scalawags like that were not to be tolerated. It seemed incredible that Gray could be one. Yes, and "Bob" liked the fellow--but so did he, for that matter. In great perturbation of spirit Tom consulted Judge Halloran. The judge listened to him in astonishment; angrily he cried: "The idea of his paying court to 'Bob'! The insufferable insolence of it! Why, I consider it a personal affront." "Where do _you_ come in to get all het up?" Tom growled. "_What?_" Halloran's irascible face reddened. '"Where do I--'? My God! Haven't I--? Don't I stand in _loco parentis_ to the girl?" "You ain't as _loco parentis_ to her as I am. She's my son. Trouble is, I like Mr. Gray. You don't think Henry could be lying?"