Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-11-22
ne; I propose 10 make that examination

me; I propose To make that examination
myself"
lyon nave the option to dc so. or to or
der it DONE" replied the captain. his
heart failing him. as lie saw through tho
majors object.
ut is not only that the time is pro-
pitious," said the major. but 1 need G
relief, IL change from garrison duty IN
this Internal country"
"Of COURSE" muttercd the captain.
II will publish an order that on and af-
ter tomorrow you will take command.
and will be obeyed and respected accord
ingly."
THAT is the regular form, Major"
You will have no trouble. Everything
is in good shape. l received II letter this
morning from the quartermaster at San
Francisco. saying that he had shipped
supplies to Fort Clark per the ship Ar
row, Captain Ford commanding. l pre-
sumo this is our old friend of the wreck,
and that he has bought another ship and
given her the same name"
lit looks thai way, sir. BIT you seem
to have overlooked IL ease of the greatest
Importance"
What is that:' asked the major, with
well-assumcd surprise.
The case of private Colin Morton.
What of that:'
The warrant ordering his execution
may arrive by the next mall
We'll. if it does, YOU, as commandment
of this post. will know how to act"
"lf the warrant ordering the execution
OF Colin Morton comes. do you expect me
10 execute it, asked Capt. Phelps, ris-
ing.
II certainly do; | believe soldiers are
not permitted to choose their own work.
Yes. they are. Every man and officer
has the Unborn right to refuse
With the certainty OF, being tried and
puniSlcl.' sncerod the major.
There is not Il man in the service
rctortel the captain, who would not
endure any punishment short of death
rather than become Il murderer
"M.hat do YOU mean, sir::' demanded
the major.
"ENactly what 1 say, sir. But as YOU
persist in not oomprehending me-, and
you have forced me into II position that
lays me subject TO court martial, l will
be plain. Gcrnlon, and l will tell you
what l think. Sit down. sir, or | will
force YOU. for | am talking to you now
as man to man. and with the fullest APP
probation of the consequences of my
acts
The captain. who was the younger and
by far the more powerful man. forced
the major into the seat from which he
had risen.
Take off your hands, SIR roared the
major, "or l shall call in the guard!''
"Do so and l will denouncc you before
them. But you are too prudent. Germon,
it is my firm belief that you have brought
about this young mans conviction, and
that having dccrccd him TO murder, you
want to fly till the final act in the tragedy
is over. Do not shake your head.
know that l ann open to dismissal from
the service and punishment. | am will
ing to submit TO both. for the day i am
freed from my obligation as a soldier and
become il free citizen again, l will bring
you to your knees"
Go to your quarters, sir" shouted the
major. "Go to your quarters undo ar
rest, and l will send for you sword. 1
will make you regret this. uo! Jean
Marat.'
Here, s%ar-r-r," said the factotum,
%springing into the room.
did YOU hear Capt. Plielps?"
Eyes. Major grinned Marat.
II obey, Major. for | would rather be
under arrest than free to perfect the
murder you have planned"
Capt. Phelps was now not only cool,
but happy looking. He had accomplish.
ed his purpose; and when he went to
his quarters and told his wife what he
had done, the dear little woman threw
her arms about his neck and kissed him
and cried by turns.
II %tinl,' said Jean Marat. when Capt.
Phelps had left, dat he is a dccvil."
"Marat, have you ever told any person
what you told meg"
NO. no, sar-r-r.' protested Marat. y
"And don't YOU know. Marat, that all
these plans, plots and so on. have been
yours:'
YES, sar-r-r. Yes, Major"
II know nothing about Them
"Oh. nozzing, nozzing," grinned Marat.
Mr.. Sclden. the acting adjutant of Fort
Clark, was the ranking officer under
Capt. Phelps, and in the absence of his
two superiors the command would de-
volvc upon him.
CTo be c%ontinued.)