Then some one inquired for Chick, and it was recalled that he had not been seen at the armory all the afternoon and evening. Every one knew that excitement like this would have been meat and drink to him. Why was he not here? Up-stairs, in the officers’ quarters, McCormack and Brownell were again alone. The second lieutenant was reading up on field maneuvers. The first lieutenant, torn with conflicting emotions and desires, was pacing the floor. Suddenly he stopped, and faced Brownell. “Joe,” he said, “you’ve got to take this company out when the time comes; I can’t!” Brownell looked up at him incredulously. “What’s the reason you can’t?” he inquired. “Because I’m not fit to. Because, after what they heard in court yesterday, the boys will have no confidence in me. Because I’m under court-martial, and ought to be under arrest. Because I’m afraid of myself. If the worst comes to the worst there’ll be a conflict between my duty to the Guard and the State, and my duty to those with whose cause I sympathize. You know what I mean. Can’t you see how utterly impossible it is for me to take command of this company?” He held out his hands appealingly. “No,” replied Brownell, promptly, “I can’t see. You’re the ranking officer, and----” Hal interrupted him impatiently: “That doesn’t matter. I’ll go away. I’ll leave the city. I’ll make it a necessity for you to assume command.” Brownell began to show impatience. “You’ll do nothing of the kind!” he exclaimed. “You’ll do your duty to the State and the Guard and yourself. This gang of hoodlums? Why, man, they’re not men looking for their jobs! They’re just common rioters and bullies and criminals, bent on tearing the constitution of the United States to bits, and throwing the pieces into the gutter. Look here! do you know what you swore to do when you took your oath as a commissioned officer? You swore to defend the constitution of the United States and of this State against all enemies foreign and domestic. Now, go and do it. It’s up to you. It’s the first chance you’ve had. Go and do it!” “But, Joe, I know these people. I know what their aspirations are, and I know they are sincere. Their leaders are my friends. How could I give orders to shoot them down?” Brownell sprang from his chair. At last his patience was exhausted. “Friends!” he shouted savagely. “Your friends! These thugs! These would-be murderers! And your own captain their first victim! Why, you cringing coward you, your blood ought to boil in your veins when you think of the crimes of which these traitors have been and want to be guilty. Friends! Heaven save the mark!” Hal did not get angry; he could not. He knew that Brownell was castigating him because he loved him. He dropped into a chair by the table and rested his head in his hands and was silent. Then his comrade, knowing that he was suffering, took pity on him, and came over and placed an affectionate hand on his shoulder.