The Scarlet Thief by Paul Fraser Collard

Author:Paul Fraser Collard
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯), Historical
ISBN: 9781472200235
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

‘I would like to apologise for my behaviour, sir.’

The colonel’s tent was stuffy, despite the fact that the canvas flaps of the entrance were tied back as far as they would go. The smell of the colonel’s lunch still lingered, and a half-empty glass of claret added its heady aroma. Jack did his best to hide his distaste, the sour air in the tent made all the worse by the bitter taste of the thick wedge of humble pie he had had to swallow. He was standing at attention in front of the colonel, his shako under his left arm.

The colonel turned to the side to look at his second-in-command.

‘Mr Peacock, do you accept Captain Sloames’s apology?’

Peacock sniffed in disapproval. If he had had his way Captain Sloames would already be on board a steamer heading back to England in disgrace. He had argued for that very punishment as vociferously as he dared but Colonel Morris would have none of it.

Peacock nodded his assent with ill grace. ‘I do, sir. Absit invidia.’

Morris looked hard at both officers. Seated behind a makeshift desk that his orderly had fashioned from empty ammunition crates, he looked more like a stern schoolmaster than a colonel in Her Majesty’s army.

‘Capital. I expect to hear no more of this episode. From either of you.’

Peacock did not take the caution well and opened his mouth to protest. Morris raised a hand to quell his words. ‘I will hear no more. The battalion will soon face the Russians and I will not allow my officers to be distracted from their responsibilities by petty squabbles. Captain Sloames has apologised and his apology has been accepted. That concludes this matter. Am I clear on that, gentlemen?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Jack was quick to reply.

‘Good. Major Peacock, I am sure you are anxious to be about your duties. Captain Sloames, if I could detain you for a moment longer I would be obliged.’

‘Of course, sir,’ Peacock replied punctiliously and swept out of the tent.

Despite the politely worded request, Peacock felt sure Morris had asked Sloames to remain on his own so that he could administer the dressing-down the odious captain so obviously required. Peacock had enjoyed seeing Sloames standing in front of the desk like an errant schoolboy and with a face that looked as if he had received the type of beating reserved for newly arrived fags at Peacock’s former school. The man was obviously a bounder and a severe reprimand was exactly what was needed to bring him down a peg or three. Peacock hoped the colonel spared no punches. It was just a pity he could not stay to witness the spectacle in person.

Inside the tent, Colonel Morris addressed the captain of his Light Company.

‘Captain Sloames. I should not have to remind you that the successful operation of my battalion requires all of its officers to work together and to treat each other with the utmost respect.’ Morris steepled his fingers and tapped the tips against his bearded chin.

‘No, sir.’

‘Nor

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