Williams news., 1917-05-17

lstence of the developed mine and of Redbear's misconduct.
 Hardy's statements in explanation of his actions were as brief as they were cold and dry. Acting as a civil officer, he had considered the question of withholding any mention of the mine as matter within his discretion When interrOgated whether he had not taken advantage of this suppression To enter the contest and win the mine for himself, his bald admission of the fact, unaccOmpanied by any explana- don of his motives, was received by his officer judges with marked gravity.
 The other charges were far more serious, and he opposed them with vigor. He denied emphatically any in- tention to desert or to remain perma- nently absent from his proper duties without leave, and showed the tele- gram from a high official in the war department that led him to believe his resignation and application for leave of absence would be at once favorably acted upon by his commanding officer Gt Vancouver barracks. This, in some circumstances, might have been con- sidered sufficient excuse for his con- duct. But his refusal to explain his reason for taking advantage of his se- cret knowledge of the mine perceptibly influenced the members of the court to doubt the statement of his purpose in coming to Washington.
 Though the court-martial adjourned without rendering its findings, he left the courtroom ten years older in ap- pearance than when he entered. The regretful, commiserating glance of the plainly to indicate what would be the findings. The thought of voluntarily resigning from the service had been hard. To be cashiered was almost un- l endurable.
 Yet he walked out with his back straight and his head we'll up. He went directly to the White House and sent in a written application for an interview with the president. It was refused. He went to his lodgings and spent the remainder of the day and half the night drafting and redraftlng concise statement of his argument against Vandervyn's contract. This he addressed to the president and stamped for mailing. He wrote noth. ing with regard to his own case.
 When, near morning, he at last fell asleep, he was so near exhaustion that he did not waken until lateS The hour set for the reconvening of the court martial had already come. He sprang into his uniform with a celerity that might have reminded a fellow officer of reveille in cadet barracks at West Point.
 The worn soleS of his highly pol isned shoes beat tattoo on the car petless old stairs by wh. oh he descend ed to the street. He did not turn to go in for belated breakfast at the meager table of his landlady. He hastened along the few feet of narrow hall to the street door. AS he drew it open, another man in uniform stepped into the doorway and con- fronted him. The other officer saluted. Hardy responded meckanicallyA For all his cool look, he was astonished. The man before him was the presi- dents military aide.
 Captain Floyd Hardy?"
 At your Service.'
 You should now be in attendance upon the court-martial," stated the aide with cold severity.
 "I shall explain to the court" re- piled Hardy. If not delayed, shall be only few-''
 You will come with me-" interrupt ed the aide, still more severely. Your conduct has been brought to the at tention of the president. It is to be seen, sir. whether you will continue to refuse to answer the inquiries of your SuperiorS."
 Hardy went white, but his jaw set firm with grim resolution. He stepped out beside the aide, and crossed the sidewalk to the waiting motor. AS asphalt, the aide sat with more than military stiffness, his head and body half averted from his companion as if to avoid contamination. Hardy sat as stifily at the other extreme of the seat.
 The ride was short. The car made a sudden turn, and curved around to the executive offices of the president. Hardy looked at his companion, per pleXed. The face of the aide showed only the stern watchfulness of one who has a reputedly' dangerous pris- Oner under arrest. At the entrance he stepped behind, as if apprehensive that Hardy might attempt to escape. A doorkeeper conducted them along a corridor into small waiting room. He passed into the room beyond, but reappeared in 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