"Get up, Captain Cartwright," he commanded. "I must have an instant
explanation of this scene. Officers and gentlemen cannot conduct
themselves like rowdies."

Captain Cartwright forced himself to smile as he saluted; he even
tried to look forgiving.

"A little frolic, sir," he made haste to say, "that developed
into bad blood for the moment." I do not wish to prefer any charges."

"Do you, Captain Prescott?" demanded the colonel.

"No, sir."

"You, Captain Holmes?"

"No, sir."

If any of the trio had hoped this much explanation would prove
satisfactory to the E.O. of the Ninety-ninth, that one had reckoned
without his host.

"A misunderstanding that develops to the point of a knock-down
blow is never a trifling matter," declared Colonel Cleaves. "If
you gentlemen had assured me that it was all frolic then I would
have thought no more of it. But I have been assured that there
was a misunderstand---a quarrel that proceeded to blows. And
I myself saw one man down and signs of very evident anger on all
your faces. Gentlemen, do you wish to offer me any further explanation