"I do not consult my solicitor simply to be told my duty," I said
stiffly. "All I want to know is, can I bring an action against him?"
"No," said James.
"In that case I will return. Good evening."
I went back to the guard-tent. The mutineer was still reading, but now
there was a light to read by. He looked up as I came in. I had had that
uneasy feeling all along, and now I knew. It _was_ the Sergeant.
I saluted. It may be wrong, as James says, but a salute or two thrown in
can't do any harm.
"May I speak to you, Sergeant?" I said respectfully, yet with an air
which implied that the Germans were upon us and that the news must be
kept from the others.
We went outside together.
"Awfully sorry," I said; "it was rather dark. I'm an ass."
"My dear man, that's all right," he said. "By the way you'd better see
about getting some straw in. I've got to see the Adjutant." He went off,
and I returned to the tent.
"I want one of you to help me get some straw," I said mildly.
Three of them jumped up at once. "You stay here," they said, "_we_'ll
get it."
So there you are; there's nothing wrong with the discipline. At the same
time if it _were_ necessary to shoot anybody, I am not quite sure how we
should proceed.