The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-06-07
1 R9q!nlgntal SGandaL
By CONAN DOYLE.


| boon bought He was an Old friend Of the
chief, and he knew that the disgrace OF
bankruptcy would be The Old man dealn
blow; but he was fOndcr still of the chief S
daughter-none of us ever knew now
much so, for he was a shy, silent man,
and, in his English fashion, he hid away
his emotions as il they were shameful
vices. Yet, with all his care, we got Il
little peep at his heart, If only through
his gray eyes when he looked at her, and
we knew that he was very fond OF our
Violet
The chief used to go to his own room
after mess, and whoever wished was wei
come to follow him there Major Erring-
ton always went, and the two would play
ecarte by the hour while we others made
q four of whist. or smoked and looked on.
1t was worth looking al, too. The chief
was a very fine ecarte player and they
were doing all they knew, for they had
taken to playing high points. OF
course, the chief, bankruptcy or no, was
always ready TO plank down whatever
he had in his pocket upon tho turn Of
q card. But II was something new In
Burlington. There had been q time when
he had refused TO play for money at all.
Now he closed at once with every chal-
lCnge, and even seemed to gOad his oppO-
played with the air of q man who was
anxious about the game-tOo anxious to
be quite good form, considering that there
was money upon the table. He was fut-
tered and unlike himself. and more than
once ne misplayed the cards completely;
but still luck was absolutely in his favor
and he won. 1t went against us to see
the old man, who had been so hard hit,
losing money which he needed badly
to the richest man In the regiment; but
still the major was the soul of honor, and
if he did it there must be some very good
reason behind it all
But there was one of our subalternS
who was not sure about that. Second
Lieutenant Peterlin was young and small
and newly joined, but he was as keen
as razor edge, with the wits Of Il racing
tout Of fifty crammcd into q boys body.
He had made book himself at nine, rid
den winner at ten aud owned on" ut
thi"tefN. gO-thnt iss5-.t-I-7 time he came orr
knowing as any man iii Ia Io,..--ss-:: .+-e-
had pluck and he was gOod-humored, so
we all got along With him pretty well
until he brcathed that first word OF sus-
pcion against our major
1t was in the billiard room ono morning,
and there were six of us there, all Suba4-
terms except Austen who was the junior
H., L
ing the balls about and we others were
helping them by sittin' on the corner
pockets. Suddenly Aust chucked down
his cue with clatter into the corner.
you're q id little liar, Peterldn,"
he remarked.
This was interesting as we had not lis
tened TO the context We all came off our
nerches and stared Petcrllin took up the
chalk and gently rubbed the tip OF his
cue
you'll be sorry for having said that
Captain Austen" said he
"Shall ~
Eyes. and you'll apologize to me for It
ooh, indcedi'
"Au ] ask is that you test the matter
for Yourself tonight, and that tomorrow
we ali meet again here at this hour, ana
that YOU let these gentlemen know what
you think then.
'Ihey have nothing to do with It,"
Excuse me, Captain Austen, they haYo
everything to do with it. You used an eX-
urc~sion to me IL few moments ago in
their presence, and you must Withdraw 1t
IN their presence also. | shall tell them
what the matter was about, and then
Not n worlr cncd Austen augrily.
'Dont dare to repeat such Il hbel.''
Just as you like, but in that case you
must agree to my conditions"
"WelI, I'll do it. III watch tonight, ana
I'll meet you here tomorrow; but [ warn
YOU, young peterkin, that when I have
shown up this mares nest OF yours the
regiment will be too hot to hold your He
stalked out of the room in 81 passion,
while Peterkin chuckled to himself and
began to practice the spot stroke, deaf to
our questions as to what was the matter.
We We're all there to keep our appoint-
ment next day. Peterkin had nothing to
say, but there was q twinkle In his little,
sharp eyes, especially when Austen came
III with Il very crest-fallen expression up
on his face.
Well saiu he, 'if I hadn't seen It
with my own eyes I should never have
| believed 1t, never! Peterkin, [ withdraw
| what / said yesterday. You We're right.
BY c., to think that an officer of this
regiment should stoop so low
| Its IL bad business" said Peterkin.
"It was only by chance / noticed it."
ITS Il good thing you did. We must
have public exposure"
'1f it's q matter affecting the honor of
any fellow in the mess it would surely be
best to have Major Errington's opinion,
said Hartridge.
Austen laughed bitterly. you fellows
| may as well be told" said he. There 5
no use in any mystitcation. Major ErTing-
ton has, as you may know, been playing
high stakes at ecarte with the chief. He
| has boon seen on two evenings in success,
! sion. first by Peterlln and then by me,
! to hide cards and so strengthen his hand
after dealn". Yes, yes, you may say what
you like but | tell you that | saw it with
| my own eyes. You know how short sight
ed the chief is Errington did it in the
most bare-faced way, when he thought
| no one was looking. | shall speak to the
chief about it. l consider 1t to be my
duty"
You had better all come tonight" said
reterkin, but don't sit near the table, o.
pretend to be watching. Six witnesses Will
surely be enough to settle it.
sixty wouldn't make me believe 1t,
| said JIartrdge.
Austen shrugged his shoulders. "Well
J you must believe your own eyes, sup