Then he went over and ironed Dowley, who, still sullen, was capable, while free, of becoming suddenly more dangerous than either of his companions. "I reckon Minturn fixed your bunkie for good, anyway. I hope he did," Dowley ground out between his closed teeth. "I'm sorry I've got the handcuffs on you," flared Noll; "If your hands were free I'd enjoy pounding you all over the floor!" "Take off the links, then, and try it," sneered Dowley. "Hold your tongue, you dog!" barked Private Hyman. "Oh, you're a brave man, when you've got the other crowd in irons," spat out Dowley sneeringly. "I'm brave enough for you at any time," taunted Hyman. "This was your job"--pointing to prostrate, unconscious Hal--"but you egged another man on to do it, you cowardly cur!" "Is that so?" sneered Dowley. "Well, you know best," retorted Hyman contemptuously. "You can watch 'em now for a minute," broke in Noll. "I'm going to see if I can find Sergeant Hupner. If I can't, I'm going to get the first doctor I can." "You can get doctors to burn," replied Hyman. "This is a sanitarium town, and the pickings here are fat for the medicos." Noll ran through the larger room. The men there turned to scowl at him, but Noll gave no heed to any of them. Out in the street, at a little distance, he saw Sergeant Hupner and the two remaining men of the detachment coming along with two soldier prisoners. Noll set up a shout. Hupner, espying him, came on the run. "Have you found any of the others?" demanded the sergeant. "We have all the other delinquents. But," choked Noll, "I'm fearfully afraid that Minturn has done for Hal Overton for good." "Where is Overton?" demanded the sergeant swiftly. "In a private room at the rear, Sergeant," Noll answered, pointing. "You can find the way. I'm going to rustle for a doctor." "Good boy," nodded Hupner, and darted into the evil place. Within three minutes Private Noll Terry entered the place, followed by a keen-eyed young physician. Hal still lay unconscious on the floor, a bad gap showing across the top of his head, and a red pool on the floor near him. Private Hyman was now kneeling beside the young soldier, his eyes misty. "I'm glad you're here, Doctor," nodded Hyman, speaking huskily as he rose. "I was just going to try to do something myself, but was afraid I might do the wrong thing." "I didn't know what I was doing," muttered Corporal Minturn weakly. "I wasn't responsible." "Silence! Tell that to the court-martial," broke in Sergeant Hupner in a tone of sheer disgust. "Be quick, Doctor, won't you? And if there is anything that we can do to help you, speak." The young physician was now feeling the cut on Hal's head, the skilled fingers glided easily along the edges of the wound, pressing lightly against the bones of the skull. "This couldn't well be much worse," announced the physician, looking up. "But before I do much, or make a thorough examination, I want this soldier in bed. Have you a surgeon at camp?"