After the noon meal that day, as he was on his way to his quarters upstairs Captain Cartwright passed him in the corridor.
"I hear you're turning martinet," said Cartwright, with a disagreeable smile.
"Very likely," smiled Holmes, "but what are the specifications ?" "I heard that you had a sergeant busted for having an opinion of his own." "That's not so," Greg declared promptly.
"Do you mean to tell me I'm a liar ?" Cartwright asked flushing.
"Did I understand you to charge me with preferring unjustifiable charges against a sergeant in my company ?" "I said I heard you had busted a sergeant for doing his own thinking," the other captain insisted.
"Cartwright, it's difficult for me to guess at what you're driving," Holmes went on, patiently, "but I've already told you that I did nothing of the kind that you allege." "That's calling me a liar again!" flamed Cartwright.
"I'm sorry if it is," returned Greg coolly, and turned toward his door.
"You cannot call me a liar!" cried Captain Cartwright, taking a quick step forward, his fists clenched.
"Apparently I don't have to," scoffed Holmes.

"You're eager to claim the title for yourself." Up flew the other captain's fist.

But just then a door opened behind him, and Dick Prescott caught the uplifted fist in tight, vise-like hold.
"Don't do that, Cartwright," he advised.
"Let me alone," insisted the other striving though failing to release his captured wrist.
"Don't do anything rash, Cartwright.

Listen to good sense; then I am going to let go of your wrist.

If you were to strike Holmes he would be practically bound to thrash you, or else to prefer charges.