The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-31

stepped behind, as if apprehensive that
Hardy might attempt TO escape A
doorkeeper conducted them along a
corridor into a small waiting room.
He passed into the room beyond, but
reappeared in a few moments and
signed to Hardy to enter.
Hardy stepped into the room, and
| the door was closed behind him. The
aide and the doorkeeper had remained
outside. Hardy looked around with a
frown of perplexity. Across the room
| man sat writing at a businesslike
desk. There was no one else pres
ent.
The man turned in his swivel chair
and abruptly made a reckoning ges-
ture. Hardy's hand went up in salute
as he stepped forward. He was in the
presence Of the commander in chief of
the army and navy.
The president looked him up and
down with a severe glance.
You are Captain Floyd Hardy?"
Yes, SIR
''The same who suppressed the late
insurrection in the Sulus?"
81 happened to be in command at
the time, SIR
after that you obtained a detail,
your conduct in discharge Of which
has resulted in your trial by court
martial on serious charges. I have be-
fore me the findings of the court. The
circumstances are exceptional. Be-
cause of your record and of certain
statements that have been presented
to me, 1 have been persuaded to give
you an opportunity to explain your
conduct"
Hardy saluted. Permit me, sir, to
first present for your consideration a
matter relating to the interests of the
tribe which"
"StopT' ordered the president.
"Others are waiting for interviews. I
can give you only ten minutes. If you
expend them on this other matter, you
will have no further opportunity to
state your own case"
1.-THE evidence before the court-mar-
tial covered the facts, sir. If those
facts sustain the charges against me,
then 1 am guilty, and desire no Glenn
ency. That is all have to say on my
own case, sir. With regard to the mat
ter which desire to present."
"Sit DOWN. ordered the president.
you have nine minutes. Be brief"
Hardy seated himself and proceeded
to present his argument against the
Vandervyn contract. He spoke DELHI
erately, but with q cOnciseness that
covered what he had to say fully and
clearly, in words as forceful as they
were few. The president listened at
tentively, but with no change in his ex-
preston. At the end of eight minutes
Hardy stopped.
The president showed a trace of sur
prise. "Is that all you have to say q?
There is still a minute"
THAT is all, SIR" replied Hardy, ris-
ing.
The president touched a call button,
but raised his finger. zone moment.
What if 1 should confront you with
witnesses?"
''As 1 have stated, sir, my only re-
quest is that all the witnesses in the
case be examined"
''There are some already at hand.
You shall see what they have to say
about your charges"
The aide appeared and Immediately
went out again at a sign from the
president. He returned with Wander
vyn and Marie. At sight of Hardy the
young man stopped short, but, meet
ing the presidents cordial smile, came
forward with easy assurance. Marie
did not look at Hardy, as she fol
lowed.
The president addressed Vandervyn
Captain Hardy has declined to ask
for clemency. I have decided to sus-
tain the findings of the court-martial.
In the face of ali this, he has had the
temerity to make a charge of fraud
against your Indian contract"
Vandervyn nodded: captain Hardy
is too skilled a strategist not to realize
that the best way to shield himself is
to raise the cry of stop thiefI' against
others. Does he allege that the sigma.
lures to my contract are forged?"
1.-The signatures are genuine. They
, were obtained by fraud" bluntly
charged Hardy.
MY word is as good or perhaps
somewhat better than that OF a cash
tered officer" rejoined Vandervyn-
''You deny the charge" the president
stated rather than inquired.
Most emphaucally, pleasantly
agreed Vandervyn. He looked signff
/ cantly from Hardy to Marie. '.As a sol
dier-until recently-the gallant cap
+ tain probably believes in the saying
that all is fair in war and love-"
Marie lowered her eyes. The presi
: dent looked thoughtful. 'tOf course
: Mr.. YandervyR, there can be no ques
, ton, when it is q matter OF your wore
? against his. Yet were there any othel
3 witnesses than yourselves and the In
? diansg"
' your exceIlency evidently has no
q seen the contract" said Vandervyn- II
= is duly witnessed by Charlie Redbear
| the official interpreter. and by his sis
r ter
II -Ah. the interpreter. you says mi