Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-27
CHAPTER xxx.
The

inc t-mar
II has been The privilege of one or two
famous gardes du corps to be a law unto
themselves. The guard of Nassau shares
that privilege. The inquiry or rather trial
was to be held within closed doors, and by
the express order of the colonel-in-chie all
the officers, including those junior to the
prisoner, were to be present. And every
officer present on such occasions had the
right to vote. The procedure was simple.
When the witnesses had been examined the
accused was invited to speak in his own
defense, then the senior officer summed up,
and lastly the officers recorded their votes.
The doors Of the great mess room were
closed. for within them the court-martial
was in progress. At the central table seven
men with the marks of power upon them
were gathered. Above them the torn ban
ners Of the regiment hung in the red gloom
of the dome, but about the men themselves
the gray-white light OF a winter day fell
from the riverward windows. 1t seemed to
dull even the red glow of the hangings,
that cold light, which lent to the faces of
those assembled a strange effect of pallor.
Count Sagan, his big chest covered with
gold lace and orders, doomed at the head
of the table, Wellenloup and Ulm to his
right and left, Adiron, Unfair, Adolf and
varanheim seated according to their rank.
AT the foot of the table in the uniform of
the guard, but without a sword, stood the
prisoner.
One man present was a complete stranger
to Rallywood-Major Ulm, who had just re-
turned from leave, and whose keen eyes
set in a thin shaven face scrutinized him
coldly. Behind Ulm's bald forehead dwelt
most Of the sagacity and discretion of the
guard. Strongly as his prejudices were ex-
cited he could not avoid being struck by
the bearing of the prisoner.
There was a cold ferceness about the
men of the guard, but Hollywood stood I'M
moved under the many hostile eyes.
Hollywood hardly heard the grave voices
that discussed his fate. stirring as they did
so The ~clogging quiet which hung with such
solemn effect over the historic room.
Those lofty walls had never before echoed
to a similar charge or a like disgrace. The
accusation was set forth in general terms.
1t spoke only of a certain prisoner and GER
tain dispatches. Rallywood, acting under
valid orders, had taken over the dispatches
from Unfair. and next, by a false telegram
to Unfair, had ordered the release of a GER
tain prisoner. Also he had used the dis
patches to forward aims of his own, to the
less and detriment Of the free state of
Nassau. Anthony Unfair gave his evidence
briefly and with caution. but 1t was con-
elusive.
After the charge had been completed and
proved a few minutes silence ensued. Then
Count Sagan addressed the prisoner.
Captain Rallywood, have you anything
to say In your own defense?"
A sudden Earring sense of amusement
struck upon Hollywood. They were playing
a farce; Count Simon. with his mortal en-
envy, was but acting his part. The whole
procedure was hollow, yet he, Rallywood,
would have to give his life to prove that all
this seeming was deadly earnest-that the
clustering traitor opposite was not a de-
feated schemer, but a loyal son of Nassau.
Hollywood could not repress a quick
smile.
Count Simon flung his fist upon the table.
do you hear me?" he shouted; what
have you to say in your own defense?"
Rallywood looked him in the eyes.
Nothing" he said.
There was a hush. Sagan picked up the
glances of the officers around him. Rally
woods words had come as a shock. Most
OF the men expected some attempt, II not
at a defense, at least at a justification Of
his conduct.
Sagan's harsh voice was raised again.
"His sword!"
Unfair sprang up hurriedly.
st is in the anteroom,' he said. "I will
bring it,"
Sagan rose from his place as Unfair re-
turned with a naked sword in his hand.
The count took 1t and laid 1t on the table
before him.
Then standing, he addressed the court:
Gentlemen OF the Guard-I must thank
you, in the first place. for the admirable
patience with which you have listened TO
the details of the abominable crime with
which the prisoner. John Rallywood, is
charged. His guilt has been proved up to
the hilt by Lieutenant Unziar's evidence, but
in addition to that the accused was not
ashamed to convict himself out of his own
mouth. sentence upon a traitor, as
upon a mutinous soldier, is unalterable. 1t
is DEATH No doubt, gentlemen, we are
unanimously agreed upon that, and the for
mality OF the ballot is all that is left"