The M. O., moving toward the corporal and his guard, said in a low tone:
"Take your men down the passage and keep them there until I call for
you."
"Sir," began the corporal.
"Will you obey my orders?" said the M. O. "I'm in command here! Go!"
Without further words, the corporal moved his men away.
Half an hour later, the sergeant major, going his rounds, received a
rude shock. In the passage leading to McCuaig's compartment, he met four
men, bearing on a stretcher toward the sick bay a long silent form.
"Who have you got there, corporal?" he inquired in a tone of kindly
interest.
"McCuaig, sir."
"McCuaig?" roared the sergeant major. "And who--"
"Medical officer's orders."
"Silence there," said a sharp voice in the rear. "Carry on, men."
And past the astonished sergeant major, the procession filed with the
medical officer and the chaplain at its tail end.
After the sergeant major had made his report to the O. C., as was his
duty, the M. O. was sent for. What took place at that interview
was never divulged to the mess, but it was known that whereas the
conversation began in very loud tones by the Officer Commanding, it
ended half an hour later with the M.
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