Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-18
|, spoke as ono who argues with a

iunatic.
Don't be a fool" cried the colonel.
IT Is obviously impossible to sus-
pect Annie Rivers" the second pro-
~. showed in arguing with Steel.
To me-" said Steel, ut is just as
impossible to suspect Morton. He's a
young ass on occasions, I'll grant; and
bullock here! If saw him take your
watch out of your pocket should go
10 an ocuIst about my eyes or q mem
TAI specialist about my head. Suspect
Charlie Morton. OF thieving!''
He had the money" the adjutant ex-
Ipostulated. His own accounts show 1T,
and"
Dash the accounts." said Steel.
YES" the colonel agreed. Yes NY
tail OF them. But there they are; and
ne kept them himself. They said he
was rather good at 1t. There's q hum
ing: and he can't explain It,"
How do you know he can't?" Steel
demanded.
Well" said the colonel He
Exactly" Steel wheeled round from
doesn't"
You mean tha-that he is shielding
some one else:" the adjutant asked
OF course he does" the colonel
ward excitedly
"rll never believe that Mrs.-'
You young FOOL" the colonel shout
ed: You think mean her!
The adjutant looked at him for a
moment. and his face changed.
That's right. SIR" he said quietly.
II am fool. ought to have known
|. =. Poor old Charlie"
In plain English" the second OBJ
nodded jerkily. And you think that
Morton Is shielding him." Steel nodded
again.
1t is IA length to go Steel" the
colonel said.
"a length to co." Steel repeated. 81
dare say-he'd go length consider
able length-for her"
There was a deadly silence and Steel
went on dissecting with his finger on
his knee.
Il wouldn't like to say that, even
to you fellows" he explained, with
more than that! My professional
s hsPaaa there's nothing wrong ig
fever. and her. They talk. you know.
It's a string of nonsense. but
Il suppose they thought they were
just brother and sister, until dare
say they pretend to think SO now.
There it is. She's married to the other
imam. So she has to share his fortunes
II he goes down, she goes down. II
Morton does she doesn't. Naturally.
he prefers to go down himself rather
than let. her. He's ready to pay the
price, l take it, and wouldn't thank
us for interfering. 1 shouldn't. only
|you see, Rivers is bound to go down
in the end. The boy can't save her.
It's a pity to let him go for nothing"
He shan't 60" 1.-THE colonel said.
How are you going to stop him.
Steel asked.
I'll tax him, with it, the colonel
-:
he's sheltering Rivers"
Il wouldn't do that" Steel advised.
You'll never get him to accuse Rivers.
We've got to do it ourselves. Very
well. How are we going to bring it
I'VE can't" said the second in COM
mand. The money in the safe was
all specie. We couldn't prove that
no ground really for suspecting Rivers.
Yes" said the adjutant quickly.
1--WE have. When / questioned the
color sergeant he said that the last
time he saw the safe open was Thurs
day. and no one went in Morton's
room except himself and Capt. Rivers.
Rivers had the chance of taking it.
That's something"
I've something more" said Steel.
1T met Mayors as 1 was coming here.
He was in high feather and wanted to
stand me a drink. He'd had too much.
as usual. and he jabbered. He had
been paid hundred pounds. he said.
that he never expected to get; paid
by Rivers. He had threatened to drive
him out of the service il he didn't
pay it,
Not nearly enough The second
shook his head.
ITS all we,n get" said Steel, Make
the best of 1T.
The colonel touched the bell and sent
la mess servant to find Capt. Rivers
and ask him to come there at once.
). 1t was half an hour before he came,
and they had only spoken once mean
while.
Shall go or stay?" Steel had asked.
Stay" the colonel had answered.
+ At last Rivers arrived-a tall, full
blooded man, who had been very hand
some before he became dissipated: He
1--WE have been talking about this-this
business of the regimental funds. the
colonel said. 1T Is my duty to question
every one who has been in. the room
when the safe was open at any time l
believe that you were there on Thurs
day?'
YES" said Rivers, calmly. -.
you saw it open?'
II saw it open.'
The amount which disappeared was
e1OO-speaking roundly. You will. have
to meet a rumor which Is floating about,
; Rivers eyes challenged Steel, and Steel
nodded.
ut is said" the colonel continued,
that you have just paid a man named
Mayers-you choose your own friends, of
course "a gambling debt OF that
amount"
with check which won from Car
ter" Rivers said. very quietly. You will
verify that. Of course :.
: ''Of course" the colonel agreed. II
apologize for mentioning the rumor."
Rivers bowed to the colonel and looked
at Steel Steel looked at him. His rest
less hands were still for once.
II apologize" he said, for thinking
that YOU would keep the money. 1 under
stand"
his great height.
you understand great deal too
much" he said. with a curious laugh:
land sometimes you understand too lit
tie, Steel = Well, you'll all know
tomorrow. You may as well know now.
II You'll find the money at your
house. colonel, with a note from me- /
am no thief. 1 wanted to ruin Morton
I've changed my mind. We all
have something In us that we don't quite
understand. Except Steel He under
stands everything" He turned to Steel
with smile that was not quite sarcastic
and not quite unfriendly. Then he turned
back again to his commanding officer
If You give me leave to go shooting,
colonel. III send I'm my papers,
The colonel. second in command. and
the adjutant looked at one another help
lessly- Then they turned to Steel.
Yes" Steel said He looked gray and
grown DID,. and the lines on his face
| ahOwod eft Ia host