Draw Swords! Part 24

"All that has been taken into consideration, Mr Darrell, again and again, and taken in extenuation of some of his failings; but he has gone too far now. The man is a thorough wastrel."

"But I think there is some good in the man, Sir George."

The general shrugged his shoulders.

"You must have microscopic eyes, Mr Darrell. His officers, who have had long experience of the man, have failed to discover it."

"He has behaved very bravely in action, sir."

"Yes; I am told so. But cannot you see, Mr Darrell, the necessity for preserving the character of your corps--how it must be kept in the highest state of discipline?"

"Yes, Sir George, of course; but--I don't know how it is--I have felt attracted by this man. He is a gentleman, evidently, by birth and education."

"Have you become at all intimate with him, Mr Darrell?" said the general sharply.

"Oh, no, Sir George; I have never spoken to him except to give orders."

"Has he written to you begging you to help him?"

"No, Sir George. It is because it is so sad for a man like that to sink so low as to suffer such a horribly degrading punishment."

"I am glad it is that, Mr Darrell," said the general coldly. "Then I am to presume that you take great interest in the men of your troop?"

"Oh, yes, sir!" cried d.i.c.k earnestly.

"And that you would put in a pet.i.tion for any other man who was in a similar trouble?"

"I think I should, sir."

"Well, Mr Darrell, this is a very disorderly proceeding on your part, but I feel that it is through a certain natural enthusiasm in a young man, who has certainly distinguished himself since he has been out here by his sterling endeavours to make himself an energetic officer, and, therefore, I feel disposed to try and meet you in this matter."

"Oh, Sir George!"

"Silence!"

d.i.c.k drew himself up to attention, and the general went on.

"I may tell you, Mr Darrell, that I signed this man's sentence with extreme reluctance, and it was not until everything had been tried that these extreme measures were decided on; but we cannot have the force disgraced. To be brief, I will leave this matter in your hands. If you can bring me this man's word as a soldier that he will from this time forward begin earnestly to amend, I will let him off the degrading portion of his sentence."

"Oh, Sir George!" began d.i.c.k excitedly.

"That will do, Mr Darrell. See the man, and come back to me at once.

I am very busy: good-morning."

d.i.c.k saluted, and turned to the door at once.

"One moment, Mr Darrell," said the general, bending down to write.

"Knowing what I do of the man from old reports. I do not think you will succeed. If your kindly effort does not bear fruit you need not return.

Here is a pa.s.s to the man's cell."

Sir George gave the young man a short nod, and took his place at his writing-table; while d.i.c.k hurried off to the cells, anxious lest he should encounter his brother-officers, who would question him about his proceedings.

A few minutes later the cell door was being unlocked, and he stepped into the gloomy place where Hanson was seated upon a bench, nursing his injured ankle, with the light streaming down upon him from the little barred window.

The man stirred slowly as the door was closed behind his visitor.

"Well, is it time?" he said in a low growl.

"For your punishment? No; not yet."

"You, Mr Darrell?" said the man wonderingly as he started up.

"Yes, Hanson; I've come to see you about this terrible punishment."

"Terrible? Bah! It has been coming a long time. I'm sick of it all, and want to wind up. Let them flog me. I suppose they will now?"

"Yes; I believe the sentence is to be carried out to-morrow morning, Hanson."

"A good job, too. Let them flog me, and as soon as I get about again I'll shoot the general, and they may hang me out of my misery."

"I came to talk to you quietly, Hanson, not to listen to mad words like those."

"Mad men say mad things."

"But you're not mad," said d.i.c.k quietly. "What you say is folly."

"Is it?" cried the man desperately. "Wait and you'll see."

"I shall never see that. But we're wasting time."

"Why did you come here--sir? There, I suppose I must say 'sir' to you-- boy."

"Speak naturally while I am here, Hanson. Yes, I am a boy yet; but you were a boy once."

The man started slightly.

"Yes," he said mockingly, "I was a boy once."

"And very different then."

"Look here, sir," cried the man, "if you've come to preach, you may save yourself the trouble."

"I've not come to preach, Hanson," said d.i.c.k quietly, "and I have no wish to hurt your feelings by asking you how it was you went all wrong as you did; but isn't it time all this came to an end?"

"Yes; and it's coming to an end, and pretty soon, too, if they flog me."

"They will, Hanson, for certain now, and I have come because I would do anything sooner than see it."

"What is it to you?"