"Captain Cortland, I am aware how badly this looks for me. But I assure you, sir, on my honor as a soldier, that I have no guilty or other knowledge of how the bolt came to be in this fearful condition. I am entirely innocent, sir, of any act that could have put the bolt in such condition." "You are not guilty even of negligence, Overton?" "Not of any intentional negligence, sir." "Then, Overton, you must have some sort of suspicion of how this thing happened." "I have a suspicion, Captain, but it is not founded on anything that is yet very tangible, sir." "You think it an enemy's work?" "Yes, sir. None but an enemy could do such a thing as this to a comrade's rifle." "Granted, but who is the enemy?" "May I be excused, sir, from answering?" asked Private Overton very respectfully. "Why?" "Because it is quite possible that, in naming an enemy, I may do some honest soldier an injury." "You need not answer, then, Overton. Wait here." Captain Cortland stepped down from the small boulder on which he had been seated. At a sign from him Lieutenant Hampton walked away with the company commander. The two remained for some moments in low conversation. "Overton!" summoned Captain Cortland, returning. Hal saluted. "This affair looks badly for you, and I want it to be a lesson to you hereafter. You have had an excellent record, Overton, since you joined the regiment. For this time I am going to take your word that you are ignorant of how the accident to your rifle bolt happened. So you are now released from arrest, and will rejoin your company. If you suspect that any comrade is guilty of this outrage on your bolt, I recommend that you keep your eyes open for any further attempts against your record. Corporal Cotter, you will not repeat what has been said here. Overton, you are released from arrest. Corporal, report yourself to the first sergeant as being on regular duty again." Corporal and private sainted, then turned back to the company. "You got off easily," murmured Noll, when his bunkie, with face white and eyes flashing, joined him. "That's because Captain Cortland decided to take my word for my innocence in the matter," Hal replied cautiously. "Now, see here, old fellow, you've got to be up and doing," urged Noll earnestly in a whisper. "What can I do, now?" Hal asked. "Keep your eyes peeled. You can find out, by and by, who was responsible for that low trick. Hal, you'll have to make vengeance your watchword." "Revenge is sweet," mimicked Hal dryly. "It surely is--sometimes." "But sweet things make one sick at his stomach," Hal uttered dryly. "Well, if you're going to stand for having a job like that put over on you," uttered Noll disgustedly, "I'm not! The fellow who did that trick to you isn't fit to be in the service, and I'm going to get him out of it, whether you help or not." Separated from the young soldiers by only a thin ledge of rock, eavesdropping Hooper and Dowley heard, and gazed keenly at each other.