seven o'clock
`` Chester , you heard the conversation : you were there : you know that I 'm on honor not to tell . '' `` Yes , I know . That 's quite enough . '' Before seven o'clock that same morning Captain Chester had come to the conclusion that only one course was left open for him . After the brief talk with Sloat at the office he had increased the perplexity and distress of that easily-muddled soldier by requesting his company in a brief visit to the stables and corrals . A `` square '' and reliable old veteran was the quartermaster sergeant who had charge of those establishments ; Chester had known him for years , and his fidelity and honesty were matters the officers of his former regiment could not too highly commend . When Sergeant Parks made an official statement there was no shaking its solidity .