Paths of Glory by Humphrey Cobb Page B

upper hand, and the explanation of which he was looking forward to with curiosity. Also he was amused by the lieutenant’s obvious pleasure in his own composition.
    â€œWell?” said Roget at last, without looking up.
    â€œWell?” said Didier.
    Roget gave a start at the sound of the voice, then looked up. The expression on his face was one of unpleasant, almost angry surprise.
    â€œWell, I’ll be . . . I thought you were killed. In fact I reported here in the . . .”
    â€œBut you didn’t wait to make sure, did you, Roget?”
    â€œNow look here . . . What d’you mean, anyway?”
    â€œWhen you ran away. After killing Lejeune.”
    â€œHave you gone out of your head? Killing Lejeune, what are you talking about?”
    â€œYou know. You threw the bomb.”
    â€œCertainly I threw the bomb. What d’you want me to throw? Bouquets?”
    â€œWell, that bomb killed Lejeune. And if you hadn’t been drunk—”
    â€œI’ve had enough of this!”
    â€œI don’t doubt it. You’ve gotten yourself into a bit of a mess, Roget.”
    â€œWell, if that’s your attitude, I don’t mind telling you that you’ve gotten yourself into a worse mess.”
    â€œHow’s that?”
    â€œI’ll tell you,” said Roget. “I’ve been thinking about it. First, general insubordination. Second, threatening to kill your superior officer. That’s mutiny number one. Third, refusing to obey an order and inciting others to do the same. That’s mutiny number two and three. Fourth, firing at your superior officer. That’s attempted murder and mutiny number four. How d’you think those charges would look on paper?”
    â€œWell, since you mention it,” Didier answered, “I say they wouldn’t look half as good as these. Drunk on duty. Endangering the lives of your men through drunken recklessness. Refusal to take counsel. Wanton murder of one of your men. Gross incompetence in general and finally, Roget, cowardice in the face of the enemy. Don’t forget you ran away. How did you explain that in your report?”
    Both men were silent for a few moments, then Roget began to smile that unpleasant smile of his.
    â€œI see. So that’s it, is it? I didn’t explain it in my report. But I’ll explain something else to you, and I advise you to think it over carefully. It’s simply this. I’m an officer and you’re a private. It’s my word against yours. Whose do you think is going to be believed? Or let me put it another way, if you like. Whose do you think is going to be accepted? Have you ever tried bringing charges against an officer? Just think it over for a while.”
    The two men fell silent again. Roget went back to his report and pretended to read it. Didier looked at the top of the lieutenant’s head.
    â€œThat’ll make him think twice,” Roget told himself. “Lucky for me I did kill Lejeune, if I did. He would have made a devilishly inconvenient witness. As soon as I get him out of here I’ll write up charges, just in case his tongue starts to wag. In fact, I’ll tell him I’m going to do it. Yes, I’ll certainly tell him. It may stop him from getting funny in other ways. The fool, bringing such accusations against an officer. He hasn’t a chance. Hope he realizes it. Quits all round or I’ll take the jump on him now and have him arrested. I hope to God he gets killed tomorrow. Dangerous fellow. Suppose he gets drunk and starts to talk. Arrest him now and nip things in the bud? But if he’s killed? Yes, that would be the best. Oh, God, kill him, kill him, kill him. . . .”
    â€œAll right, Roget, I’ve thought it over. What do you propose?” Didier had, as a matter of fact, done no thinking whatever after the first instant of silence, the instant which it had taken his thoroughly practical mind to register the thought: