Peter Marlowe didn’t answer. He was still upset and enormously relieved to have escaped.
The colonel called out, “Grey! Could I see you for a moment?”
“Yes, sir.” Grey looked a last time at Peter Marlowe. One month’s pay! Not very much, considering that the colonel had him. Grey was surprised and not a little angry that Marlowe had got off so lightly. But, at the same time, he had seen Smedly-Taylor operate before. And he knew that the colonel was tenacious as a bulldog, that he played men like fish. He must have a plan, to let Marlowe go so easily.
Grey stepped around Peter Marlowe and went inside once more.
“Er, close the door, Grey.”
“Yes, sir.”
When they were alone, Colonel Smedly-Taylor said, “I’ve seen Lieutenant Colonel Jones and Quartermaster Sergeant Blakely.”
“Yes, sir?” Now we’re getting somewhere!
“I have relieved them of their duties as from today,” the colonel said, playing with the weight.
Grey’s smile was broad. “Yes, sir.” Now, when would the court-martial be, and how would it be arranged, and would it be in camera and would they be reduced to the ranks? Soon everyone in camp would know that he, Grey, had caught them at their treachery; he, Grey, was a guardian angel, and my God, how wonderful it would be.
“And we’ll forget the matter,” the colonel said.
Grey’s smile vanished. “What?”
“Yes. I have decided to forget the matter. And so will you. In fact I repeat my order. You are not to mention this to anyone and you are to forget it.”
Grey was so astounded that he sank to the bed and stared at the colonel. “But we can’t do that, sir!” he burst out. “We caught them red-handed. Stealing the camp food. That’s your food and my food. And they tried to bribe me. To bribe me!” His voice became hysterical. “Holy Christ, I caught them, they’re thieves, they deserve to be hung and quartered.”
“True.” Colonel Smedly-Taylor nodded gravely. “But I think, under the circumstances, that this is the wisest decision.”
Grey leaped to his feet. “You can’t do that!” he shouted. “You can’t let them off scot-free! You can’t—”
“Don’t tell me what I can or cannot do!”
“I’m sorry,” Grey said, fighting for control. “But, sir, those men are thieves. I caught them. You’ve got the weight.”
“I’ve decided that this is the end of the matter.” His voice was calm. “The matter is closed.”
Grey’s temper snapped. “By
Smedly-Taylor’s voice overrode the hysteria. “Shut up, Grey! You can’t
Smedly-Taylor sighed heavily and picked up a piece of paper and said, “This is your official report. I’ve added something today. I’ll read it to you. ‘I strongly recommend Lieutenant Grey for his work as Provost Marshal of the Camp Police. His performance of duty is, beyond question, excellent. I would like to recommend that he be given the acting rank of Captain.’” He looked up from the paper. “I propose sending this to the Camp Commandant today and recommending that your promotion be effective from today’s date.” He smiled. “You know of course that he has the authority to promote you. Congratulations, Captain Grey. You deserve it.” He offered Grey his hand.
But Grey didn’t accept it. He merely looked at it and at the paper, and he knew. “Why, you rotten bastard! You’re buying me off. You’re as bad—maybe you’ve been eating the rice too. Why, you shit, you dirty rotten shit—”
“You hold your tongue, you jumped-up subaltern! Stand to attention!
“You’re in with them, and I’m not going to let any of you get away with it,” Grey shouted and snatched the weight off the table and backed away. “I can’t prove anything about you yet, but I’ve proof against them. This weight—”
“What about the weight, Grey?”
It took Grey an age to look down at the weight. The bottom was un-marred.
“I said, ‘What about the weight?’” Stupid fool, Smedly-Taylor thought contemptuously as he watched Grey search for the hole. What a fool! I could eat him for breakfast and not notice it.
“It’s not the one I gave you,” Grey choked. “It’s not the same. It’s not the same.”
“You’re quite wrong. It’s the same one.” The colonel was quite calm.
He continued, his voice benign and solicitous. “Now, Grey, you’re a young man. I understand that you want to stay in the army when the war’s over. That’s good. We can use intelligent, hard-working officers. Regular Army’s a wonderful life. Certainly. And Colonel Samson was telling me how highly he thinks of you. As you know, he’s a friend of mine. I’m sure I could prevail upon him to add to my recommendation that you should be granted a permanent commission. You’re just overwrought, understandably so. These are terrible times. I think it’s wise to let this matter drop. It would be ill-advised to involve the camp in a scandal. Very ill-advised. I’m sure you understand the wisdom of this.”
