Part 6 (1/2)

Standish shook his head. ”I didn't forget it,” he said.

”Well, suppose I did,” demanded Aintree. ”Suppose I did go on the loose, just to pa.s.s the time, just because I'm sick of this d.a.m.ned ditch? Is it fair to wipe out all that went before, for that? I'm the youngest major in the army, I served in three campaigns, I'm a medal-of-honor man, I've got a career ahead of me, and--and I'm going to be married. If you give me a chance-”

Standish struck the table with his fist.

”I will give you a chance,” he cried. ”If you'll give your word to this man and to me, that, so help you G.o.d, you'll never drink again--I'll let you go.”

If what Standish proposed had been something base, Aintree could not have accepted it with more contempt.

”I'll see you in h.e.l.l first,” he said.

As though the interview was at an end, Standish dropped into his chair and leaning forward, from the table picked up a cigar. As he lit it, he motioned Meehan toward his prisoner, but before the policeman could advance the sound of footsteps halted him.

Bullard, his eyes filled with concern, leaped up the steps, and ran to the desk.

”Lieutenant!” he stammered, ”that man--the n.i.g.g.e.r that officer shot--he's dead!”

Aintree gave a gasp that was partly a groan, partly a cry of protest, and Bullard, as though for the first time aware of his presence, sprang back to the open door and placed himself between it and Aintree.

”It's murder!” he said.

None of the three men spoke; and when Meehan crossed to where Aintree stood, staring fearfully at nothing, he had only to touch his sleeve, and Aintree, still staring, fell into step beside him.

From the yard outside Standish heard the iron door of the cell swing shut, heard the key grate in the lock, and the footsteps of Meehan returning.

Meehan laid the key upon the desk, and with Bullard stood at attention, waiting.

”Give him time,” whispered Standish. ”Let it sink in!”

At the end of half an hour Standish heard Aintree calling, and, with Meehan carrying a lantern, stepped into the yard and stopped at the cell door.

Aintree was quite sober. His face was set and white, his voice was dull with suffering. He stood erect, clasping the bars in his hands.

”Standish,” he said, ”you gave me a chance a while ago, and I refused it. I was rough about it. I'm sorry. It made me hot because I thought you were forcing my hand, blackmailing me into doing something I ought to do as a free agent. Now, I am a free agent. You couldn't give me a chance now, you couldn't let me go now, not if I swore on a thousand Bibles. I don't know what they'll give me--Leavenworth for life, or hanging, or just dismissal. But, you've got what you wanted--I'm leaving the army!” Between the bars he stretched out his arms and held a hand toward Meehan and Standish. In the same dull, numbed voice he continued.

”So, now,” he went on, ”that I've nothing to gain by it, I want to swear to you and to this man here, that whether I hang, or go to jail, or am turned loose, I will never, so help me G.o.d, take another drink.”

Standish was holding the hand of the man who once had been his hero.

He clutched it tight.

”Aintree,” he cried, ”suppose I could work a miracle; suppose I've played a trick on you, to show you your danger, to show you what might come to you any day--does that oath still stand?”

The hand that held his ground the bones together.

”I've given my word!” cried Aintree. ”For the love of G.o.d, don't torture me. Is the man alive?”

As Standish swung open the cell door, the hero of Batangas, he who could thrash any man on the isthmus, crumpled up like a child upon his shoulder.

And Meehan, as he ran for water, shouted joyfully.