Everything that could be postponed was
postponed. Responsibility was shifted from one staff officer to
another. No one was held accountable for anything, and general
confusion seemed to reign. The place was besieged with contractors and
agents, and the staff was nearly worried to death. The general was
always very busy--fanning himself--and the days went on.
One morning a fellow member of the staff, a young lieutenant whom he
scarcely knew, called Sam aside and asked him for a half-hour's
conference. They went off together into a deserted room, and the
lieutenant began the conversation in a whisper.
"See here, Captain," said he, "we're looking for a patriotic fellow who
cares more for his country than his own reputation. We understand that
you're just the man."
"I hope so," said Sam, delighted at the prospect of an opportunity to
distinguish himself.
"It's a rather delicate matter," continued the lieutenant, "and I must
say it's rather a compliment to you to be selected for the job. The
fact is, that Captain Jones is in trouble. He's about $3,000 short in
his accounts."
"How did that happen?" asked Sam.
"Oh, that's not the point. I don't see that it makes any difference.
But we've got to get him out of the scrape. The honor of the army is
at stake. Civilians don't understand us. They don't appreciate our
standards of honor. And if this thing gets out they'll charge us with
all kinds of things.
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