CHAPTER XXII
TWO YOUNG CORPORALS SEND OUT THE "C. Q. D."
WHEN the two young corporals had had time to cool down somewhat, Hal made a racket on his cell door until a house policeman came to see what was wanted.
"Will you bring me paper and an envelope?" Hal asked.
"Want to make your will, I suppose," jeered the policeman.
"No; I intend to write a note to my company commander."
"Is he out at camp?"
"Yes."
"Who do you think is going to take the note out there?"
"Call a messenger boy, and I will pay him for going out there," Corporal Hal replied.
"I don't believe the lieutenant at the desk will do it," returned the policeman.
"See here," Hal went on, warming up perceptibly, "we are members of the United States forces, under detention by the civil authorities. Now, the civil authorities have full right to arrest United States soldiers on proper charges. We'll let the question pass of whether we've been properly arrested. But, as members of the United States Army, we have a right to communicate with our commanding officer. If this isn't done, the governor of Colorado is quite likely to hear from Washington. Now, we demand paper and envelope, and also that a messenger boy be called to take our letter."
"I don't know what the lieutenant will say – " began the house policeman dubiously.
"Of course you don't," Hal broke in. "So go and find out what he says, won't you? And you might explain to him my version of what is likely to happen if he fails to give us a chance to communicate promptly with Captain Cortland."
Twenty minutes passed.
"They're just laughing at us," muttered Noll.
"Then in the morning they may find where the laugh really belongs," Hal retorted.
"Hush! Here comes some one."
It was the house policeman, returning with stationery and a messenger boy.
Taking a pencil from one of his pockets, Hal wrote at some length, though he tried to make his letter as brief as possible.
"Got any matches, boy?" Hal asked of the waiting messenger.
The boy passed a small box in through the grating of the door.
"Here, stop that!" warned the policeman, though he reached forward too late to stop the passing of the matches.
"You shall have them back in a moment," Hal promised the boy.
Drawing a piece of sealing wax from another pocket, Hal lighted a match, dropping the hot wax over the flap of the envelope.
"Here, you can't do that," warned the house policeman, who, however, could get the cell door key only by going upstairs to the desk.
"But I've already done it," smiled Hal.
Noll handed his chum a signet ring, which Hal pressed into the wax.
"That won't go," muttered the policeman. "The lieutenant won't have it. He has to see all letters that go out of this station."
"Then let your lieutenant break the seal, or interfere in any way with the prompt delivery of an official communication between a member of the United States Army and his commanding officer, and see what will happen to your lieutenant upstairs. If the lieutenant is a friend of yours you might call that little point to his attention," Hal retorted, with a cool smile, as he passed the envelope to the messenger.
"How much will it be to deliver that letter promptly out at the camp?" Corporal Overton inquired.
The messenger boy named the sum, to which Overton added carfare and a little "tip."
"As quickly as you can, please, boy. And report to your manager in case the lieutenant, or any other policeman attempts to hinder or bother you on this work. We shall want your report as evidence if you are interfered with."
"Say, that kid corporal downstairs knows all his rights," declared the house policeman admiringly to the lieutenant, after the messenger had departed unmolested.
"He'll forget a large part of what he knows, after he's been before the judge in the morning," replied the lieutenant, lighting a cigar. "Soldiers, as well as citizens, can be punished, and Johnson has a clear case against that pair of soldier kids."
For the next two hours Hal and Noll took turns pacing back and forth within the narrow confines of the cell in which they had been thrust.
"I guess we're not going to hear anything to-night," muttered Hal disappointedly at last. "Noll, we may as well get some of the sleep that's coming to us."
Young soldiers accustomed to sleeping on the ground did not find it extremely hard to get to sleep on the hard wooden benches. More than that, they contrived to get a pretty fair rest before they were awakened in the morning by a station-house trusty who thrust two chunks of bread and two tin cups of coffee into the cell.
"Get that down and be ready to go to court," called the trusty as he passed along.
Breakfast eaten, the two young corporals had a lot more time on their hands before a squad of policemen came downstairs and began to busy themselves with marshaling the prisoners and driving them toward a basement door.
Here, mingled with the scum of the city, in the persons of other prisoners, two unoffending young soldiers of the United States Army were forced to enter the dark interior of a covered wagon. A steel door was slammed into place and locked and the ride began.
In a few minutes they were let out, superintended by a guard of other policemen, and driven into another basement. Here, in a dark, dingy, foul-smelling room, this batch of prisoners was herded with those from other police stations.
A lot of time passed. Occasionally court policemen came into the room, selected more prisoners and drove them out toward a stairway.
At last it came the turn of Corporals Hal and Noll. They were taken from the room, up an iron staircase, and then pushed into the pen of a police court.
"Henry Overton and Oliver Terry!" called a clerk.
"There's yer cue," announced a gruff court policeman, pointing to the two young soldiers. He conducted them to the front of the pen where they stood facing a police magistrate.
The clerk announced the charge against them, then ordered wearily:
"Prisoners, hold up your right hands. You do solemnly swear – "
The two young corporals had been duly sworn to tell the truth.
"Where's the arresting officer?" demanded Judge Guffey.
Policeman Johnson came forward, held up his hand and was sworn.
Then the policeman started to tell the story of what he claimed to have seen. According to this evidence, Noll and Hal had first insulted a young woman with whom Bill Dabner was walking at the time. Bill had naturally resented the insults, and then the soldiers had violently assaulted Bill and his male friend, while the girl broke through the gathering crowd and fled for home.
Then Bill came forward, in his best, loudest clothes, and with his hair much greased. Bill's story, under oath, put a few flourishes to Policeman Johnson's plainer tale. Bill's friend was also there and backed up all that the policeman and Dabner had said.
"We have plenty of other witnesses, your honor, if you desire to examine more," interposed the policeman.
"Where's the young woman herself?" queried Judge Guffey.
"Home in bed, ill from the shock, your honor," Bill asserted gravely.
"Prisoners at the bar, have you anything to say?" queried Judge Guffey. "Overton?"
"I've a lot to say, your honor."
In tones ringing with indignation, Corporal Hal Overton, United States Army, gave his version of the affair. Bill Dabner listened with a broad, impudent grin, as Hal told the true story of the encounter of the night before.
Then Noll spoke in his own behalf.
"I saw the assault myself, your honor, and have other witnesses here for our side if you wish to hear them," said Policeman Johnson.
"This testimony is very much confused," commented Judge Guffey at last. "But the evidence of the police officer is evidently worth that of all the other witnesses combined, for the policeman has no personal prejudices in the matter. Prisoners at the bar, you appear to have forgotten that you were sworn into the Army and enrolled among the defenders and protectors of the country. It is no light thing to insult a young woman, even if she does happen to belong to the poorer classes of society. Prisoners, such conduct as yours, under any circumstances, is a disgrace to the splendid uniform that you wear. Soldier hoodlumism shall find no more sanction in this court than any other kind of rowdyism. I sentence you each, therefore – "
Judge Guffey's voice paused for a moment, as though the magistrate were thinking deeply.
Then he added:
" – to thirty days in the workhouse!"
CHAPTER XXIII
THE WIND CHANGES ITS COURSE AND BLOWS
IT was a dazing, fearful blow to two lads who had acted in accordance with their highest ideals of right.
"Step down there," ordered the court officer, giving the young corporals a light shove.
"You've got yours."
Policeman Johnson, Bill Dabner and the latter's crony turned to leave, as though satisfied that they had done their duty.
At the back of the courtroom there was a slight commotion. Some one there was endeavoring to push his way through the throng.
"Your honor, one moment!" called a deep, manly voice. "Before the case of the two soldiers is disposed of I wish – "
It was some one in uniform at the back of the court room. More Judge Guffey could not ascertain at that moment.
"Who spoke then?" demanded the magistrate.
"My name is Cortland, your honor. I am captain of the company to which the two corporals belong."
At the first sound of that voice Hal and Noll had turned back to the front of the pen.
"Get down below, you!" scowled the court officer.
"Will you be good enough to hold your tongue, my man?" asked Corporal Hal in a quiet voice, though his eyes flashed. "That's our captain speaking, and his is the voice we follow."
"Let the prisoners wait," directed Judge Guffey, sending the court officer an annoyed glance. "Make way for Captain Cortland to come forward."
Policeman Johnson and Bill and his friend were trying to get out of the court room, but the magistrate called to them to come back.
"Captain," continued the magistrate, "I regret to say that the evidence proved that your two men most wantonly insulted a young woman on the streets last night, and then attacked her escort and a friend."
Captain Cortland, as he came to a halt below the bench in that crowded court room, presented a fine appearance that was in distinct contrast with his surroundings.
"With due respect for the court, your honor. I don't believe that any such disgraceful conduct was engaged in by my young men."
"But even the policeman's testimony bears out that of the real complainants, Captain," replied Judge Guffey courteously.
"Your honor, I don't know your policeman, but I do know my two young men, Corporals Overton and Terry. I am as positive as I can be of anything that neither young soldier is of the kind to allow himself to get into any kind of disgraceful affair. There are no men in my company for whom I entertain deeper respect than I do for Corporals Overton and Terry. Your honor, may I ask that this case be reopened?"
"I would gladly extend you that courtesy, Captain Cortland, but the evidence has all been heard. As I understand it, Captain, you can testify only to the previous good character of the prisoners. You were not a witness of last night's occurrence?"
"I was not, your honor, but I know my two young men so well that I feel certain, sir, that you are unwittingly aiding in a miscarriage of justice. Will the court be good enough to outline the nature of the evidence?"
Briefly Judge Guffey outlined the story of the prosecution, and also the opposed story told by Corporals Overton and Terry.
"Your honor may think me unduly trustful," smiled Captain Cortland, "but I would believe the story of my men over the testimony of a hundred men such as these complainants seem to be."
Captain Cortland took a side look at Bill and his friend, who unaccountably shivered under that scrutiny.
"Has the young woman herself appeared in court, your honor?" resumed B Company's captain. "Has she testified?"
"I understand," replied Judge Guffey, "that the young woman is ill in bed as a result of the shock of last night's occurrence."
"Then, your honor," asked Captain Cortland, "may I ask a continuance of this case until the testimony of the young woman herself may have been heard, and until I can look up other evidence? And will you accept my personal bail for Corporals Overton and Terry in the meantime?"
"I want to show you every courtesy possible, Captain," began Judge Guffey.
"And I ask nothing, your honor, except that my men have every opportunity for impartial justice."
While this conversation had been going on an extremely mild-mannered man in rather dingy black, had been quietly working his way forward. He had just succeeded in passing a card to the clerk of the court and in adding a few whispered words.
"Your honor," interposed the clerk, "here is another witness who offers, and wishes to be heard. He can bring us tidings of the young woman who has been mentioned in connection with this case."
Judge Guffey took the card, reading from it:
"Dr. Alexander McKenzie."
"That is my name, sir," replied the quiet man.
"What do you know of this case, Doctor?"
"Not much, sir, but it may be important," replied the physician. "I was called in this morning by the mother of one Lizzie McAndrew, the girl mentioned in this affair. Miss McAndrew is quite ill this morning, as the result of a nervous shock, but her mind is clear enough. She begged me particularly to come to court to see that two brave and gallant young soldiers did not come to harm through befriending her."
Captain Cortland uttered a low-voiced, triumphant exclamation.
At a motion from the clerk Dr. McKenzie started around toward the pen to be sworn.
Policeman Johnson, his face violently red, whispered a few words in the ear of the physician as the latter passed.
"Now, don't bother me with your talk," retorted the physician in a rather loud voice, and Johnson drew back.
"What did that policeman say to you?" demanded the magistrate as soon as the medical man had been sworn.
"He told me to look out what I said, or I'd get myself in big trouble down in the district," replied Dr. McKenzie promptly.
"I never – " began Johnson, his face paling.
"Put that policeman under arrest!" thundered the magistrate.
A court officer moved over and stood beside the now much-disturbed Johnson.
Dr. McKenzie testified to the serious condition in which he had found Lizzie McAndrew this morning. He was not permitted to repeat any of the young woman's statements in her own words, but was allowed to state the gist of what Miss McAndrew had said.
"May I interrupt the court long enough to ask if there is not now enough evidence to warrant postponing this hearing for a few days?" inquired Captain Cortland.
"I won't do it," replied Judge Guffey bluntly. "Plainly enough this has been one of the court's foolish mornings. I am now convinced that the testimony on which I had sentenced these two young soldiers was false evidence. Corporals Overton and Terry are discharged from custody."
Hal and Noll were about to step from the pen to join their captain when the magistrate interrupted:
"To you young military gentlemen I wish to offer the court's apology. I apologize, also, in the name of the State of Colorado and of the city of Denver. There is no calling more honorable than that of the soldier, who offers his comfort, his life and his blood for his country at need. The soldier who forgets the high nature of his calling and descends to rowdyism cannot be too severely punished, but the soldier who lives up to the high traditions of his calling cannot be too well commended. Policeman Johnson, step forward. Bear in mind that you are still under oath. In what work or business are Dabner and his friend engaged?"
"Why, your honor, I – I – "
"Have they any regular calling that you ever heard of?"
"Your honor, I don't know," stammered the policeman.
"Isn't it true that this precious pair seldom work?" pressed the magistrate.
"I – I'm afraid, your honor – "
"Policeman Johnson, go to the complaint clerk and swear to two short complaints charging Dabner and his estimable friend with vagrancy."
Johnson changed color swiftly three or four times, but he went in a daze to carry out his instructions.
As for Bill Dabner and his friend, they looked as though they were seeing ghosts. They did not attempt to speak until they were ordered to step into the pen and be sworn.
Then Policeman Johnson was called to the stand. Reluctantly he testified that the new prisoners were well known to be loafers, making a living mainly by their wits.
Dabner and his friend were then asked to testify in their own behalf, but they were too badly overwhelmed to be able to say much.
"Prisoners," said Judge Guffey, gazing at them in sheer disgust, "it would give me great pleasure to bind you over for the grand jury on charges of perjury committed this morning. But I feel disinclined to take any action that may drag these young soldiers away from their own duties. Therefore, on the charge of vagrancy, I sentence you each to two years in the workhouse. Take those prisoners below at once."
Bill and his crony seemed barely able to walk when they were forced below.
"Policeman Johnson, come forward! Do you desire to offer any denial of the evidence concerning the charge that Dr. McKenzie made against you a few minutes ago!"
Johnson opened his mouth to speak, but under the stern gaze of the police magistrate he found it impossible to persist in his denial.
"Johnson, for attempting to intimidate a witness in this court I sentence you to thirty days' confinement at the workhouse. I shall also see to it that a full account of this matter reaches the chief of police. That is all."
Captain Cortland thanked the court heartily. Then, with his young soldier boys following, he made his way from the court room. Dr. McKenzie was at their heels when they reached open air, and a pleasant chat of a few moments followed.
"Men, I would have come to you much sooner than I did," explained Captain Cortland, "but an accident happened that couldn't be helped. Through some stupidity your messenger left your note over among the militiamen, and it did not reach me until this morning. Then I came as fast as I could travel."
The heartiest thanks of all three soldiers were extended to Dr. McKenzie, after which the Army party started back to camp.
Hal's adventures for the day, however, were by no means yet ended.
As the three entered the regulars' infantry camp, Captain Cortland caught sight of a horse being held before his tent by one of his infantry privates.
"I want to talk with you two a moment," remarked B Company's commander, "but I see that I have a visitor from the cavalry. Wait outside until I summon you."
The horse, a beautiful animal, very plainly belonged to the cavalry, for the saddle blanket and trappings were trimmed with yellow, which is the cavalry color.
"Had much work this morning, Claxton?" Hal asked of the private soldier who was holding the horse's bridle.
"We've been going some, Corporal," replied Claxton, with a smile. "And it was hot in the sun to-day, too."
"Even at that," observed Corporal Hal grimly, "I guess you had it easier here than we did."
"You've been in some trouble, Corporal?"
"Yes, but now it's – "
Corporal Hal Overton never finished that sentence. At that instant all three became aware of a great clatter up the field.
A pair of horses attached to a light victoria came racing down the field, passing close to the head of the infantry camp.
There was no driver on the seat; the reins were trailing at the heels of the runaways.
Nor did it take more than a glance to show that both of the runaways were now frightened past all hope of stopping them by any simple expedient.
Less than a quarter of a mile down the field two regular and two militia field batteries were drawn up in a long line, squarely in front of the path of the flying horses.
Worse still, the horses belonging to the batteries had been detached and sent to the rear. There were some four hundred artillerymen in all near the guns, but not one of them mounted in this period of instruction.
The horses seemed bound to dash in among the closely aligned field guns, wrecking the victoria and probably killing the woman and girl who now stood up in the vehicle screaming with terror, but seemingly too frightened to jump.
This Corporal Hal saw in his one swift glance, as the outfit went by like a whirlwind.
What he didn't see the soldier boy didn't even stop to guess.
"Let go, Claxton!" he shouted, snatching the bridle from the orderly's hand.
All in a twinkling Hal was up in saddle and urging the magnificent cavalry animal forward.