Hence, it would have been impossible for me to think of writing such a note.

More, sir, it would have been stupid of me to risk writing such a note, for Captain Holmes and I sat in my quarters until it was time for us to leave on our way to our respective company offices." "And while in your quarters did you discuss this affair of your trouble with Captain Cartwright ?" "To the best of my recollection, sir, we did not mention it," Dick declared.
"Is that your recollection, Captain Holmes ?" "Yes, sir." "And this is not your handwriting, Captain Prescott ?" "I give you my word of honor, sir, that I did not write it, and did not even discuss the matter with Captain Holmes." "I do not understand this note in the least," Colonel Cleaves went on.

"Of course, Captain Prescott, I am bound to accept your assurance that you did not write this.

I do not know how the note came here; all I know about it is that I found it on my desk, under a paper weight, about fifteen minutes ago, when I came in." "It is the work of some trouble-maker, sir," Greg ventured.
"Do you know anything about this note, Captain Cartwright ?" "No, sir," replied that officer, flushing at the intimation that he could have had anything to do with it, for Greg had passed the paper to him.
"I will keep that note, then," said Colonel Cleaves, taking it, "in the hope that I may later find out how it came to be here.
Captain Cartwright, do you deny that Captain Prescott did no more than to parry your blows and thrust you back off your balance ?" "That was all he did, sir." "And you made two distinct efforts to hit him ?" "Y-y-yes, sir." "Was anything said that, in your opinion, justified you in attempting to strike a brother officer ?" "At the time I thought Captain Holmes had justified my attempt to \ strike him." "Do you still think so ?" "N-no, sir.

I was undoubtedly too impetuous." "And you attempted to strike Captain Prescott only because he tried to restrain you from striking a brother officer ?" "Yes, sir." "Is there anything more to be said or explained by any of you gentlemen ?" "Nothing, sir," came from three pairs of lips.
"Then, since none of you wishes to prefer charges," pursued Colonel Cleaves, "I will say that the whole affair, as far as it has been explained to me, looks like a childish quarrel to have taken place between officers and gentlemen.