It had all occurred so suddenly that he was bewildered yet, merely retaining sufficient consciousness of the circumstances to keep still.

If they were assured he was guilty, then no effort would be made to trace any others connected with the affair.
Why Gaskins should have identified him as the assassin was a mystery--probably it was merely the delirium of a sorely wounded man, although the fellow may have disliked him sufficiently for that kind of revenge, or have mistaken him for another in the poor light.

At any rate the unexpected identification helped him to play his part, and, if the Lieutenant lived, he would later acknowledge his mistake.

There was no occasion to worry; he could clear himself of the charge whenever the time came; half his company would know he was in barracks when the firing began.

There were women out on the walk, their skirts fluttering as they waited anxiously to learn the news, but he could not determine if she was among them.