His argument had been cleverly worked out, his points carefully arranged; and Challoner's heart sank, for the damaging inference could hardly be shirked.
"Your suggestions are plausible, but you can't seriously expect me to attach much weight to them," Challoner said.

"Besides, you seem to have overlooked the important fact that at the regimental inquiry the verdict was that nobody in particular was to blame." "Oh, no!" Clarke replied with a harsh laugh.

"I merely question its validity.

I imagine that reasons which would not be officially recognized led the court to take a lenient view.

But what of that?
Blake had to leave the army, a ruined man; and I've good reason for knowing what an acquittal like his is worth." He paused a moment.