The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-12-06

~ HH'f W 80 " tN'
When, near morning, he Mt last fell
asleep, he was 40 near exhaustion that
he did not wnken until late. The hour
set for the %rcconvcning Of the court
martial had already come. lie sprang
into his uniform with a celebrity that
might have reminded n fellow officer
or reveille In cadet barracks ut West
Point.
The worn soles Of his highly poll
lshed shoes beat n tattoo on the car.
petlcss old stairs by which he descend
ed to the street. He did not turn to
go In for II belated breakfast ut the
mcager table OF his lnndlady. lie
hastened along the few feet OF narrow
hall to the street door. As he drew
1t open, another man In uniform
stepped Into the doorway and con-
fronted him. The other officer saluted.
Hardy responded mechanically. For
nll his cool look, he was astonlshed.
The man before him was the presl-
dents military aide.
Captain Floyd Hardy?"
AT your service
You should now he In attendance
upon the court-mnrtinl," stated the
aide with cold severity.
II shall explain to the court" re-
piled Hardy. III not delayed, | shall
lie only II few"
y % will come with me-" interrupt
ed he aide, still more severely. "Your
conduct has been brought 10 the at.
tcntlon of the president. II 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. lie stepped
out beside the aide, and crossed the
sidewalk to the waiting motor. As
they were whirled away over the slcety
asphalt, the aide sat with more than
military stiffness, his head and body
half nverted from his companion as II
to avoid contamination. Hardy sat
MS stifly ut the other extreme of the
seat.
The ride was short. The cur made
n suCdcn turn, and curved around TO
the executive Offices of the president.
Hardy looked ut his companion, per-
picked. The face of the aide showed
only the stern wntchfulness of one
who has Il reputedly dangerous pris-
oner under arrest. At the entrance he
stepped behind, as II apprehcnsive that
Hardy might attempt to escape. A
d~oorkccper conducted them along q
corridor into a small waiting room.
lie passed into the room beyond, but
rcnppenred In n few moments and
to Hardy to enter.
Hardy stepped into the room, and
the door was closed behind him. The
aide and the doorkccpcr hnd remained
outside. Hardy looked around with a
frown Of ~perplcXity. Across the room
n man sat writing at n ~businesslike
There was no one else pres
emf.
The man turned In his swivel chair
and abruptly made II %bcckoning gcs.
turc. llardy's hand went up in salute
he stepped forward. lie was In the
presence of the commander in chief OF
the army and navy.
The president looked him up and
lown with a severe glance.
"iou are Captain Floyd Hardy2"
"Ics, sir"
"Thc same who suppressed the late
resurrection in the Sulusf'
Il happened to be In command at
he time, sir"
After that you obtained n detail.
conduct In discharge of which
lns resulted In your trial by court
on serious charges. ! have be-
ore me the findings OF the court. The
circumstances are exceptional. Be
ausc of your record and of certain
statements that have been presented
o me, ! have been persuaded to give
an opportunity to explain your
'onduct.'
Hardy sulutcd. Permit me, sir, To
irst present for your consideration n
natter relating to the interests OF the
ribe which"
STOP" ordered the president.
Others are waiting for interviews. |
give you only ten minutes. II you
xpcnd them on this other matter, you
vii have no further opportunity to
tate your " case"
THE evidence before the court-mar-
Inl covered the facts, sir. If those
acts sustain the charges against me.
hen l am guilty, and desire no elem ,
ncy. That is all I have to say on my ,
wn ease, sir. With regard to the mat.
'r which | desire to present"
"Sit down" ordered the president.
You have nine minutes. Be brief" ;
Hardy seated himself and proceeded
} present his argument against the 4
nndcrvyn contract. He spoke DELHI
but with n conciScncSs that l
lNcrcd what he had 10 say fully and !
la words ms fcrccful as they
ere few. The president listened Mt
but with no change IN his cx- I
At the end Of eight minutes j
stopped. i
The president showed n trace Of SUR
rise. us that all you have 20 suy? y