It can't interest you." "It interests me very much," Clarke returned, with an ironical smile.
"I must ask you to let me tell you what I know." Challoner consented, and Clarke gave what the Colonel admitted was a very accurate account of the action on the Indian frontier.
"Well," he concluded, "the orders were to hold on--they could send for support if very hard pressed, but they mustn't yield a yard of ground.
It was hot work in front of the trench upon the ridge--the natives pouring into it at one end--but the men held their ground, until--there was an order given--in a white man's voice--and the bugle called them off.

Somebody had ventured to disobey instructions, and after that the hill was lost.

The bugler was killed, so they could learn nothing from him." Clarke paused a moment and narrowed his eyes.

"Now," he said "it is of vital importance to you to know who gave that order to retreat." "That question has been answered and settled," Challoner replied severely.
"I think incorrectly." "Yes ?" the Colonel queried again.

"Perhaps you will let me have your theory as to what occurred." That was the opportunity for which Clarke was waiting.