The opinion of such a commission cannot be modified except in favour of the officer[9] (_sic_). An officer who has been cashiered (_en réforme_) is liberated from all obligations imposed on officers in a position of activity or non-activity.[10] I have wandered far away from the regiment, I have quoted dry law, and I feel afraid that readers will begin to ask, "But what about your own adventures?" I am as anxious as my readers to get to them, but I think it better to get rid of all the dreary details first, and this introduction will enable me to go on with my story without having constantly to stop to explain this or that. I shall not abuse the patience of my readers much longer, but there are still a few details I must explain, and I hope that I shall be forgiven for doing so. The punishments which may be inflicted on non-commissioned officers are as follows:-- (i) Confinement to barracks after the evening roll-call. This is given to Sergeants who show laziness in, or ignorance of, their work, or who return late to barracks. (N.C.O.s, unless thus punished, can remain out till 11 P.M.) (ii) Confinement to barracks. Inflicted on a Sergeant whose personal appearance is slovenly, or who allows his men to fail in their appearance. (iii) Confinement to the room. Inflicted for slight breaches of discipline. For more serious offences N.C.O.s are sent to prison. (Except, in the latter case, N.C.O.s under punishment have to do their duty as usual.) (iv) Reprimand by Captain commanding the squadron. (v) Reduction in rank (_retrogradation_). (vi) Absolute loss of rank (_cassation_). The appended table explains itself:-- +-----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+ | | Right of Punishment by-- | | +---------+----------+---------+--------+----------+--------+ |Punishments|Sergeant-| Sergeant-|Adjudant,|Captain.| Majors, |Colonel.| | of | major. | major | Lieut. | |and Capt.-| | | N.C.O.s. | | in |and Sub- | | commt. | | | | | his | lieut. | | | | | | | Squadron.| | | | | +-----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+----------+--------+ | | Days. | Days. | Days. | Days. | Days. | Days. | | (i) | 4 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 30 | 30 | | (ii) | 2 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 30 | | (iii) | -- | -- | 4 | 8 | 15 | 30 | | Prison | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8 | 15 | +-----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+----------+--------+