The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-07-04

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 it. Canker grumblingly obeyed
SO far as the sergeant and sentries were
concerned, but entered stout protest as
to Gray.
81 still hold that officer as having
knowledge of the scheme and aiding
and abetting. can prove that he tele-
phoned for that carriage" he said.
Sat least there's nothing to warrant
the posting of that sentry at Mr.. Gray's
tent, Col. Canker," said the brigadier,
with some asperty. "Order him of 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 tor an
other rasping within the hour. The
brigadier being done with him, the d.
vision commanders compliments came
over per orderly, and would the colonel
please step to the generals tent.
Canller 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 bourder was
taken, and what manner Of man Tor
womnn) he was. But down he had to
go, 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've
known that man IS years-in fact, got
him ordered to duty here" and the
colonel bristled.
'sWell--pardon me, colonel, but you
heard the evidence against him last
%; f.
consider that conclusive?"
Canker cleared his throat and CON
sidered as suggested.
II heard the allegation sir, but--hs
made so clear an explanation to me, at
least, and besides, general''-a bright
idea occurring to him-''you know that
as commissary sergeant he is not under
my cominand-"
Tut, tut. colonel" interrupted the
general, waxing impatient. The
storehouse adjoins your camp. Your
sentries guard it. Capt. IIanford, the
commissary, says he called on you last
night to notify you that lie had placed
the sergeant under arrest, but consid-
cred the case so grave that he asked
that sentry be placed over him, and ii
wasn't done.''
IL 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 a different
rule in case 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 to 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
HE'D him to Gen. Drayton's headquar-
tiers. The office tents were well filled
with clerks, orderlies, aides and other
officers who had come in on business,
but the meeting was by appointment,
and after brief delay the camp COM
mander excused himself to those pres
ent and ushered Armstrong into his
own private tent, the scene of the mer-
ry festivities the evening of Mrs. Car
rlson's unexpected arrival. There the
general turned quickly on his visitor
with the low-toned question::
"Well-what have you fouud?"
Enough to give me strong reason
for believing that Morton, so-called. is
young Prime, and that your nephew is
with him. SIR
The old soldiers sad eyes lighted with
sudden hope. Yet as he passed his hand
YEARLY over his forehead, the look of
doubt and uncertainty slowly returned.
1t accounts for the letters reaching
me here" he said, ''but-Tve known
that boy from babyhood, Armstrong.
and a more intense nature have never
heard of. What he starts in to do he
will carry out il it kills him." And
Drayton looked drearily about the tent
as though in search of something he
didn't quite know what. Then he set
tied back slowly into his favorite old
chair. DO sit down, Armstrong.
want to speak with you a moment"
I ct 1t was the colonel who was the first