The Mena weekly star., 1916-07-27
CHAPTER XIX.
The Last Offer.

sunshine. If poured in through the half-opened shutters and danced on the whitewashed walls and on the long deal table with its litter of maps and documents. The doors at the far end were thrown open. and tvo soldiers with fixed bayonets took up their posts on either hand. A few minutes later group of officers followed. They were six in number-two heutenants, three captains and a major. They be- l0nged to the same regiment They ex- changed desultory remarks, and from time to time one or another of them laughed. Only Desire Arnaud was silent
 A moment later the seatries present ed arms and Colonel DestiRl entered. All six men sprang to their feet There was more than formal military cour- tesy in that simultaneous movement. Their eyes were fixed OF his face as on some feared and inealculable oracle.
 "Pray be seated, gentlemen"
 He took his place in the midst of them beneath the two tricolcrs draped perfunctorily over a miniature and em- blematic bust Of the republic. Bring in the prisoner" he said sharply.
 The sentries repeated the order and in the brief interval that followed the six meE relapsed into their former atti- tude of lalguiG indifference. The two younger officers exchanged whispered comments, and one of them laughed
 The door opened and a sergeant en- tered, followed by two corporals and a man whose hands and feet were chained. There was a short silence. The sergeant made an authoritative gesture, and the man was thrust for ward and the door closed again, shut ting out the brief glimpse of sunlit courtyard.
 "The prisoners numberT'
 The sergeant drew out bulky docu- ment from between the buttons of his tunic.
 "No. 4O05, called Richard Nameless of the First regiment. the Eleventh company"
 The accuSattong
 Conspiracy and mutiny on the field"
 Any previous record?"
 NO, my colonel. but marked as a lAangorous rharactar"
 Very well, sergeant. You can stand back"
 The man saluted and retired few paces, leaving his prisoner alone, fac ing the table Colonel Destinn looked up. As their eyes met the prisoner bowed, gravely, without bravado, with an instinctive courtesy which became him strangely we'll Colonel Destinn's outstretched hands were clenched, and the knuckles stood out white and pol ished as marble. There was no trace of emotion on the implacable features. and his voice sounded formal and in- different.
 "In the ordinary course of events this case would go to the court at Oran." he said. But I have received instructions from General Meunier to deal with all such offenses summarfly. There have been signs of unrest in the Legion. General Meunier demands that an example should be made"
 The major nodded.
 "It's essential to discipline" he mur- mured vaguely.
 "Legionary, you are charged on your own confession. Do you still insist that you were the sole instigator and leader of the mutiny7"
 Yes, my colonel"
 "You have no statement to make, no explanation to offerT
 None
 Colonel Destinn leaned forward on his elbow. And suddenly 1t seemed to the man beside him that he had ceased to interrogate-tha he was pleading with a smothered passionate energy.
 Captain Arnaud, you were with me. You were the sole survivor of my staff. Have you anything to say for this manr
 There was brief silence. It seemed as though Arnaud had not heard He was still staring in front of him, and full minute passed before he lifted his eyes slowly. reluctantly to Des- tinns face.
 "I?" And then suddenly he half arose. his hands gripping the edge of the table. "I--I--have-v He stopped. His blank gaze had passed on. It rest ed or the prisoners gaunt untroubled features and lit up with flame of awakened recollection. He relapsed. No. have nothing to say" he said slowly and distinctly.
 It seemed that the heat became denser, more stihing There was no sound but the soft maddening buzz of the flies in the circle of sunshine. Colonel Destinn drew himself up stifiy.
 'sThen I have no option but to pass the highest sentence on you, Le- gionary," he said There is only one