between half-past eleven and twenty minutes to twelve?"

"Yes, sir."

"You told us, I think, that you determined this by the fact that you
came on duty at eleven o'clock, and that it would be half-an-hour
or a little more after that when Captain Tremayne arrived?"

"Yes, sir."

"That is quite in agreement with the evidence of your sergeant.
Now tell the court where you were during the half-hour that
followed - until you heard the guard being turned out by the
sergeant."

"Pacing in front of quarters, sir."

"Did you notice the windows of the building at all during that time?"

"I can't say that I did, sir."

"Why not?"

"Why not?" echoed the private.

"Yes - why not? Don't repeat my words. How did it happen that
you didn't notice the windows?"

"Because they were in darkness, sir."