Adventure Magazine Cover — page 104: what you’re looking at

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94 I shook my head. What was there for a counsel to do? I knew what I should say. No one could say it more intelligently than I, for none knew the circumstances as well. Besides, a court of inquiry could only be a preliminary to a general council of officers, or some such body, when the full examination of the circumstances would be made. ‘This would be the mode of procedure, as I understood it, excepting when the ac- cused is charged with being a spy. No such charges could be lodged against me. The delivery of the official notice had dis- tressed me. Now calmer thought brought a return of my old optimism. I had been scaring mvself with bogies. There was an excellent chance that the inquiry would end the whole matter. I even fancied that niy uncle’s influence had been at work. This preJminavy arraignment and general dis- cussion would be followed by recommenda- tions that the charges be dropped. Posby broke in on my meditations by saying: “I have a big favor to ask. I want you to name me as your counsel.” God bless the loyal soul! I could have hugged him for his offer. I told him: “Time enough for that if I’m held for a general council. Even then, my dear friend, I couldn’t drag you into it.”’ “It would be my duty as a British officer. I ask it,” he insisted. : The gaoler was out of hearing. On the impulse—and never had [ a truer one—I confessed: “The woman I rescued is my cousin. She is very young. She is aiding the rebels to the full of her ability. J had never seen her till I made this trip. I believed she was in danger of worse than death. There was nothing I would not have done to save her.” “Vour cousin,” he blankly murmured. “Of course one has to help one’s cousin, when the cousin is a young woman. Nay, V’ll go further; if in ¢hat danger you had to help her if she hadn’t been related. And where is one to stop giving aid to the rebels? Curse all puzzles! You, a loyalist, being dragged into such a mess.” ‘‘My views are being changed, I think,” Iranon. ‘The change is helped along a bit by my treatment of the last twenty- four hours. Ill even say I may find my- self turned into a rebel if I get out of this.” “Turn devil if you must!” he angrily ex- greatly. Adventure claimed. “The point is that now, this morning, you are honorable. You are my friend. I insist on acting as your adviser.” “Then be it so,” I surrendered. ‘And if I die of the rope I'll say God bless at least one of his Majesty’s officers.” “Oh, nonsense,’ he growled, backing away and holding the lantern near the floor that I might not see any emotion in his face. “There’s lots of us fellows who are quite decent; neither house-burners, nor sheep-killers, nor women-stealers.”” Which was quite true. His visit and kind offer heartened me I ate my breakfast with much gusto and was impatient for ten o’clock to arrive. At last there was a welcome tramp- ing of feet and Posby, as adjutant of the town, came for me. As we walked through the basement behind the guard he whis- pered: ‘“‘The court should be in good humor. A runner came in with word that Lieuten- ant Drance, captured by the rebels near Ninety-six, has escaped, saved his papers, and is on his way here to present the Savan- nah report to his lordship.”’ pam FOUR staff-officers and five cap- fet ai tains were awaiting my appearance 4 in the townhall. Back of them were seated Captain Tickridge, Sergeant Newt, and half a dozen of Tickridge’s troopers. Old Ellis Ambros was not present. Colonel Jacks presided and the proceedings were opened witlf much informality. He asked me if I had selected counsel, and on my replying in the negative he did not urge the necessity of my doing this. This in itself satisfied me the hearing was something of a farce; something that must be gone through with but which would soon end in my release. Without placing Tickridge under oath, the colonel called on him to give his facts, which the captain did with much spirit. He exceeded the rights of a witness by passionately setting forth his beliefs, un- substantiated by evidence. I remonstrated against this license, and insisted the witness confine himself to what he had seen. An- other of the staff-officers, a stranger to me, suggested that I hold my peace and wait until it came my turn to speak, when I would have every chance to refute the wit- ness. Despite the gross violation of inquiry COmiclbook CO