Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1900-01-19

IL VI
arrest and prefer charges. vines
asked if he were sure Of his ground IN
making SO serious an accusation, he de-
clared he had proof positive, at least
he would have the instant they reached
Manila, and his intention was t o take
the boy along with him to be tried there
by court-martial, where no meddling
outsiders as he said. could buy on
witnesses. 1t was plain that he con-
sidered himself out of my jurisdiction,
and that he resented my staff officers
questions. But DR.. Morrow had APP
pealed to me in behalf of Gray. Said
that if compelled to continue a pris-
oner aboard that transport under Can
ker's tyrannical rule Gray might DO
goaded into insanity. He was in .
condition bordering or brain fever
when Morrow came to see me, and in
another day was raving. That settled
it. I ordered him taken off and placed
in hospital here, and Canker had to go
without him. But I wish you would
see Armstrong and tell him about Gray,
SO that l may know the whole situation
as soon as l return. Canker evidently
intended not to let US know his proofs.
He probably believes that he will find
a more crednlous and complaisant lis
tener in Drayton; but his insinuations
pointed to Gray as at least an abettor
in the theft, and he went so far as to
say that if Armstrong could be brought
before the court som very interesting
testimony could be dragged from him,
and, finally, that both Armstrong and
Mrs.-well, the wife Of a staff officer
who is already we'll on the way to Ma
nila-might be compelled to testify. I
cannot bring myself to repeat moro
that he said; but he was in ugly and al
mostdefiantmood, and l had to give him
a dressing down. You may say to Arm
strong for me that do not believe ono
word of Canker's calumny at his ex-
pense or that Of the lady in the case.
But he declared his intention Of lay
ing the whole matter before Gen.
Drayton Immediately on his arrival,
and it is best that Armstrong should
be prepared. AS for the lady, Canker
said she and Armstrong were very close
friends when they We're at Fort Stan
hope ten years ago, though they no
longer meet as such.
And that brings me to another mat
ter. l declined positively to allow two
or three ladies'. wives of officers, to go
on to Manila with Canker's commands;
and they said that as l had promised
Mrs. Garrison a passage l had no right
to refuse them. Pressed for their
authority, two very estimable women
told me that, at the Preside two days
before>we sailed, Mrs. Garrison openly
boosted of having my promise to send
her on he very next steamer. Now,
who is really the fabricator? I told
her positively that, with my consent,
she should not go; and she laughed de-
lightedly, and said she only asked as
n matter of form-the whole thing had
already been settled. Just see to it
that If any more transports start be-
fore my return no woman is permitted
aboard except, of course, authorized
nurses. Gray is a very sick boy to-
night, but you might wire his father,
saying nothing of the arrest, that the
doctors are confident of his recovery in
course OF time,
Armstrong read these pages twice
over before he looked up.
"How did this letter come? ' he asked.
by the Salvador yesterday"
"And the next mail for Honolulu? '
queried Armstrong, rising from his
chair and handing back the folded let
ter.
"The next mail closed an hour ago,
man. The China sails at two. No other
boat for a week. Where are you going
now?"
ITO camp for ten minutes, then to
the Presidio."
"Oh, come over to the club and have
a bite first?" said the ~adjutant general,
rising and wriggling out of his uniform
coat as he did SO. II won't keep you
half an hour"
"That half hour may prove precious"
answered Armstrong, already at the
door. MANY thanks, all the same"
"Well, hold on. What am 1 to say
to the general as to Gray and those let
ters?" asked the staff officer, intent
upon the subject uppermosti in his mind
at the moment.
you can't say anything that will
reach him before he returns. You have
just told me no other boat would start
for a week. BY that time he'll be COM
ing home" And with that Armstrong
let himself out and strobe to the ele-
%vator, leaving his friend to cogitate
on the question over his luncheon. 1t
was decidedly that officers opinion that
Armstrong knew much more than he
would tell.
But Armstrong knew much less than
he himself believed fastening back
to camp and ordering his horse, he was
soon speeding up the slope to the wine
swept heights overlooking the Golden
Gate. The morning had opened fine
as silk. but by noon the sky was hid