"And approve the sentence.

To-morrow he will be shot." "Yes, sir," acknowledged Harris.

"Unless _you_ intervene." At this curiously insistent plea for clemency the short, stocky bearded man who, to so few, had the bearing of a great general, faced Lieutenant Harris and gave him a look which made the young officer's bravery falter for a long moment.
"_I ?_" said the General, with a searching note in his voice which seemed to probe coldly and with deadly accuracy among the strenuous emotions in the young man's mind.

"Harris--you are an officer of promise.

Don't cut that promise short." With a flick of his ashes to one side he turned away.