Part 40 (1/2)

”What testimony? I would know the circ.u.mstances?”

”Well, sir, I will tell you about it,” said the officer, with ill-concealed triumph. ”Private Traverse Rocke had the early morning watch--”

”After his return from the night ride to Acapulco?”

”Yes, sir. Well, Colonel Le Noir and myself in going our rounds this morning, just before sunrise, came full upon the young fellow, fast asleep on his post. In fact, sir, it required a hearty shake to awaken him.”

”After ninety-six hours' loss of sleep, I should not wonder.”

”I know nothing about that, sir. I only know that Colonel Le Noir and myself found him fast asleep on his post. He was immediately arrested.”

”Where is he now?” inquired Herbert.

”In one of the Colonel's extra tents, under guard,” replied the officer.

Herbert immediately went to the tent in question, where he found two sentinels, with loaded muskets, on duty before the door. They grounded arms on the approach of their superior officer.

”Is Private Traverse Rocke confined within there?” he inquired.

”Yes, sir,”

”I must pa.s.s in to see him.”

”I beg your pardon, sir, but our orders are strict, not even to admit an officer, without a written order from our Colonel,” said the sentinel.

”Where is the Colonel?”

”In his tent, sir.”

Herbert immediately went on to the fine marquee occupied by Colonel Le Noir.

The sentinel on duty there at once admitted him, and he pa.s.sed on into the presence of the Colonel.

He saluted his superior officer with cold military etiquette, and said:

”I have come, sir, to ask of you an order to see Private Traverse Rocke, confined under the charge of sleeping on his post.”

”I regret to say, Major Greyson, that it cannot be done,” replied Le Noir, with ironical politeness.

”Will you have the kindness to inform me, sir, upon what pretext my reasonable request is refused?” asked Herbert, coldly.

”I deem it quite unnecessary to do so, sir,” answered the Colonel, haughtily.

”Then I have no more to do here,” replied Herbert, leaving the tent.

He immediately threw himself into his saddle and rode off to the Archiepiscopal palace of Tacubaya, where the General-in-Chief had fixed his headquarters.

Here he had to wait some little time before he was admitted to the presence of the gallant commander, who received him with all the stately courtesy for which that renowned officer is distinguished.

Herbert mentioned the business that had brought him to the general's presence, the request of a written order to see a prisoner in strict confinement for sleeping on his post.