From below they could see him as he waved the lighted candle to and fro, and presently they heard his voice, that sounded deep and muffled in the shallow loft: "All right, boys! You can let me down." He slid to the table and sprang lightly to the floor, facing his troopers with a smile, half-humorous, half in seeming disappointment, as he glanced at Virgie.
"I'm afraid the little rebel's right again.

_He isn't there!_" "Oh!" cried Virgie, then clapped her hands across her mouth, while the troopers slowly looked from her into the level eyes of their commanding officer.

He stood before them, straight and tall, a soldier, every inch of him; and they knew that Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison was lying like a gentleman.

They knew that their chief was staking the name and title of an honorable soldier against the higher, grander title of "a man." Only Corporal Dudley stood disconcerted at the startling statement, but as there was no help for it he could only strangle an oath and give the order to pass out.
"_'Tention! Right face! Forward! March!_" They mounted and rode a rod or two away, awaiting orders; while Morrison stood silently and watched them go.

He, too--like Virgie--had wrestled with a problem, and it stirred him to the depths.