It was some one in uniform at the back of the court room. More Judge Guffey could not ascertain at that moment. "Who spoke then?" demanded the magistrate. "My name is Cortland, your honor. I am captain of the company to which the two corporals belong." At the first sound of that voice Hal and Noll had turned back to the front of the pen. "Get down below, you!" scowled the court officer. "Will you be good enough to hold your tongue, my man?" asked Corporal Hal in a quiet voice, though his eyes flashed. "That's our captain speaking, and his is the voice we follow." "Let the prisoners wait," directed Judge Guffey, sending the court officer an annoyed glance. "Make way for Captain Cortland to come forward." Policeman Johnson and Bill and his friend were trying to get out of the court room, but the magistrate called to them to come back. "Captain," continued the magistrate, "I regret to say that the evidence proved that your two men most wantonly insulted a young woman on the streets last night, and then attacked her escort and a friend." Captain Cortland, as he came to a halt below the bench in that crowded court room, presented a fine appearance that was in distinct contrast with his surroundings. "With due respect for the court, your honor. I don't believe that any such disgraceful conduct was engaged in by my young men." "But even the policeman's testimony bears out that of the real complainants, Captain," replied Judge Guffey courteously. "Your honor, I don't know your policeman, but I do know my two young men, Corporals Overton and Terry. I am as positive as I can be of anything that neither young soldier is of the kind to allow himself to get into any kind of disgraceful affair. There are no men in my company for whom I entertain deeper respect than I do for Corporals Overton and Terry. Your honor, may I ask that this case be reopened?" "I would gladly extend you that courtesy, Captain Cortland, but the evidence has all been heard. As I understand it, Captain, you can testify only to the previous good character of the prisoners. You were not a witness of last night's occurrence?" "I was not, your honor, but I know my two young men so well that I feel certain, sir, that you are unwittingly aiding in a miscarriage of justice. Will the court be good enough to outline the nature of the evidence?" Briefly Judge Guffey outlined the story of the prosecution, and also the opposed story told by Corporals Overton and Terry. "Your honor may think me unduly trustful," smiled Captain Cortland, "but I would believe the story of my men over the testimony of a hundred men such as these complainants seem to be." Captain Cortland took a side look at Bill and his friend, who unaccountably shivered under that scrutiny. "Has the young woman herself appeared in court, your honor?" resumed B Company's captain. "Has she testified?"