The regulations governing that canteen should prevent these frequent examples of drunkenness, which are a disgrace to the battalion." "Do I understand, sir," inquired the sergeant major, with quiet respect, "that you are accusing me of a failure in duty ?" "I am saying that if the regulations were observed my batman and others would not be so frequently drunk, and the enforcing of these regulations, I understand, is a part of your duty." "Then, sir," replied the sergeant major, "perhaps I had better report myself to the Commanding Officer." "You can please yourself," said Barry, shortly, as he turned away.
"Very good, sir," replied the sergeant major.

"I shall report myself at once." The day following, the chaplain received an order to appear before the O.C.in the orderly room.
"Captain Dunbar, I understand that you are making a charge against Sergeant Major McFetteridge," was Colonel Leighton's greeting.
"I am making no charge against any one, sir," replied Barry quietly.
"What do you say to that, Sergeant Major McFetteridge ?" In reply, the sergeant major gave a full and fair statement of the passage between the chaplain and himself the day before.
"Is this correct, Captain Dunbar ?" asked the O.C.
"Substantially correct, sir, except that the sergeant major is here on his own suggestion, and on no order of mine." "Then I understand that you withdraw your charge against the sergeant major." "I withdraw nothing, sir.

I had no intention of laying a charge, and I have laid no charge against the sergeant major; but at the same time I have no hesitation in saying that the regulations governing the canteen are not observed, and, as I understand that the responsibility for enforcing these regulations is in the sergeant major's hands, in that sense I consider that he has failed in his duty." But the sergeant major was too old a soldier to be caught napping.
He had his witnesses ready at hand to testify that the canteen was conducted according to regulations, and that if the chaplain's batman or any others took more liquor than they should, neither the corporal in charge of the canteen nor the sergeant major was to be blamed.
"All I can say, sir," replied Barry, "is that soldiers are frequently drunk on this ship, and I myself have seen them when the worse for liquor going into the canteen." "And did you report these men to their officers or to me, Captain Dunbar, or did you report the corporal in charge of the canteen ?" "No, sir, I did not." "Then sir, do you know that you have been guilty of serious neglect of duty ?" said the colonel sternly.
"Do I understand, sir, that it is my duty to report to you every man I see the worse for liquor on this ship ?" "Most certainly," replied the colonel, emphatically.

"Every breach of discipline must be reported." "I understood, sir, that an officer had a certain amount of discretion in a matter of this kind." "Where did you get that notion ?" inquired the colonel.

"Let me tell you that you are wrong.