"Stop, sir, please, and hear me out. Ever since I joined, and as far back as I can hear of, it has been considered a feather in a man's cap to belong to the horse artillery. Many a fine fellow has put down his name and wanted to be transferred from the foot, and want has been his master. But nowadays the service is going to the dogs." "I don't want to--" "Stop! you are going to hear me out," he cried, interposing between me and the door. "I've long wanted to come to an understanding with you, but you have always sneaked behind your nurse." "I don't understand you," I said angrily; but it was not true. "Then I'll tell you what I mean. You have always hung on the apron-string of Mr Brace, and a nice pair there are of you. The troop's going to ruin, and I shall tell Lacey so. I'm not going to stand it. Here, you came out, a mere schoolboy, and before you've been two years in the foot, you are selected to come into what used to be the smartest troop in the Company's service. I'm not blind. It's all grossly unfair. You've got relatives on the board, and it's all money and interest. It's a disgrace to the service." "Do you mean I am a disgrace to the troop?" I said hotly. "Yes, I do," he cried savagely; "and I know well enough one of these days how it will be. There will be some excuse made, and you will be promoted over me; and if you are, I warn you I won't rest until the whole miserable bit of trickery has been exposed." "You would be clever if you did expose anything, for there is nothing for you to expose. My uncle did write to head-quarters, I know, but I read his letter first." "What did it say?" "And he only asked for my wishes to be acceded to, if I was found worthy." "Found worthy!" he cried, with a mocking laugh, which made my cheeks burn. "Found worthy! It's a disgrace to the service!" "Oh, there, I'm not going to quarrel with you," I said, fighting down my annoyance. "No, and I am not going to quarrel with you, but for a couple of annas I'd give you a downright horsewhipping." I started up from my seat, but a hand was laid upon my arm, and I was pressed down as I swung my head round and gazed up in Brace's stern face. "Be quiet," he said, grimly; and then--"May I ask, Mr Barton, what this means?" "No, you may not," cried Barton, offensively. "But I do ask, sir. I heard you threaten to horse-whip your junior officer as I entered the room." "And most creditable for an officer and a gentleman to stand at the door listening," cried Barton, in a mocking tone. "Eavesdropping." Brace's pale sallow face changed colour, but he spoke very calmly, for he realised that Barton had made up his mind to quarrel with him. "What has been the matter, Vincent?" "Mr Barton has thought proper to accuse my friends of gross favouritism, and he tells me that I have no business in the horse brigade."