The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-04-13

directly he heard Of 1t, grinned Cor
don. Moses But didn't Squeers
blaspheme.' And the adjutant threw
his head back and laughed joyously
over the retrospect. Yes, there's that
curly-headed pate of Billy's at the tent
door now. Reckon he was eXpectin'
'em. There they are, ole Prime, too.
Don't be in hurry, colonel"
They had known each other years,
these two. and il had been Arm
strong" and Gordon" when they adj
dressed each other, or sole man" when
Gordon lapsed into the semi-affection-
ate To the adjutant's southern sense
of military prOPriety "ole man. was
still possible Armstrong" would be
a soldierly solecism.
Il am 10 see the general before noon"
said Armstrong, gravely, ''and its
time l started. If you should hear of
your runaway let me know. If you
shouldn't. keep our views to yourself.
There's no use in rousing false hopes"
With that Armstrong turned up the
collar of his overcOat and lunged out
into the mist.
Gordon watched him as he strobe
away. the orderly following at the con-
ventional distance. The shortest way
to general headquarters was up the
row of company officers tents in front
of the still incarcerated Billy; the
longest was round back of the mess
tent and kitchen. Armstrong took
the latter.
That escape Of prisoners was still the
talk of camp. Men had come by bat
talions TO see the tunnel, observing
which Canker promptly ordered it
closed up. Opinion was universal that
Canker should have released the officers
and men he had placed under arrest at
once. but he didn't. In his bottled
wrath he hung on to them until the
brigade commander took hand and or
dered il. Canker grumblingly obeyed
so far as the sergeant and sentries were
concerned, but entered stout protest as
TO Gray.
4 still hold that officer as having
knowledge of the scheme and aiding
and abetting. 1 can prove that he tele-
phoned for that carriage" he said.
AT least there's nothing to warrant
the posting of that sentry at Mr.. Gray's
tent, Col. Canker," said the brigadier,
with some asperity. Order him off at
once. That's all for to-day, sir" and
the man with the starred shoulders
'held over him with the silver leaves.
The latter could only Obey-and OBJ
jurgate.
But Canker's knuckles came in for an
other rasping within the hour. The
brigadier being done with him, the di-
vision commanders compliments came
over per orderly, and would the colonel
Please step TO the generals tent.
Canker was tuning to get to town. He
was possessed with insane desire TO
follow up that boarding house clew.
he believed the landlady could be bull
lied into telling where her boarder was
taken, and what manner of man Tor
woman) he was. But down he lid to
90, three blocks of camp. to where the
tents of division headquarters were
pitched. and there sat the veteran COM
mander, suave and placid as ever.
"Ah, colonel. touching that matter
of the robbery of your commissary
stores. Suspicion points very strongly
TO your Sergt. Foley. Do you think it
wise TO have no sentry over him?"
"Why-general.' said Canker, 1--WE
known that man j. years-in fact, got
him ordered TO duty here" and the
colonel bristled.
.sXVe1I-DordoD mo colonel lint Won
heard the evidence against him last
night. or at least heard of it. Don't you
consider that conclusive?"
Canker cleared his throat and con-
sidered as suggested.
q heard the allegation sir, but-he
made so clear an explanation to me. at
! least, and besides, general bright
idea occurring to him-'you know that
as commissary sergeant he is not under
my command"
Tut, tut. colonel" interrupted the
! general, waxing impatient. The
storehouse adjoins your camp. Your
sentries guard it. Capt. Hanford, the
commissary, says he called on you last
night TO notify you that he had placed
cred the case so grave that he asked
that a sentry be placed over him, and it
wasn't DONE"
L dislike very much to infiict such in
dignity on deserving soldiers, general"
said Canker, stumbling into a self-made
trap. Until their guilt is established
they are innocent under the law
Apparently you apply different
rule in ease of officers calmly respond
ed the general, wide Mr.. Gray. No fur
Their words are necessary. Oblige me by
having that sentry posted at once.
Good morning, sir"
But 10 Canker's dismay the officer of
the guard made prompt report The
sentry was sent, but the sergeant's tent
was empty. The colonel's pet had flown.
! This meant more trouble for the colonel.
Meantime Stanley Armstrong had
hied him to Gen. Drayton's headquar-
tiers. The Office tents were well filed
with clerks, orderlies, aides and other
I officers who had cop,a IN ~, l,,,~.~.,,-~