And the stricken man had endeavored to shift the blame on him.

Hamlin could not believe this was done through any desire to injure; the Lieutenant had no cause for personal dislike which would account for such an accusation.

They had only met once, and then briefly.

There was no rivalry between them, no animosity.

To be sure, Gaskins had been domineering, threatening to report a small breach of discipline, but in this his words and actions had been no more offensive than was common among young officers of his quality.