the lost road-第8章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


my　doing　that　as　cowardly。　　I　give　you　my　wordnot　that　I'll　swear
off；　that　I'll　never　dobut　I　promise　you　you'll　have　no　further　
reason　to　be　what　you　call　humiliated；　or　ashamed。　　You　have　my
word　for　it。〃

A　week　later　Aintree　rode　his　pony　into　a　railway　cutting　and　
rolled　with　it　to　the　tracks　below；　and；　if　at　the　time　he　had　
not　been　extremely　drunk；　would　have　been　killed。　　The　pony；　
being　quite　sober；　broke　a　leg　and　was　destroyed。

When　word　of　this　came　to　Helen　she　was　too　sick　at　heart　to　see
Aintree；　and　by　others　it　was　made　known　to　him　that　on　the　first
steamer　Miss　Scott　would　return　North。　　Aintree　knew　why　she　was　
going；　knew　she　had　lost　faith　and　patience；　knew　the　woman　he
loved　had　broken　with　him　and　put　him　out　of　her　life。　　Appalled　
at　this　calamity；　he　proceeded　to　get　drunk　in　earnest。


The　night　was　very　hot　and　the　humidity　very　heavy；　and　at　Las　
Palmas　inside　the　bungalow　that　served　as　a　police…station　the　
lamps　on　either　side　of　the　lieutenant's　desk　burned　like　tiny　
furnaces。　　Between　them；　panting　in　the　moist　heat　and　with　the　
sweat　from　his　forehead　and　hand　dripping　upon　an　otherwise
immaculate　report；　sat　Standish。　　Two　weeks　before；　the　chief　had
made　him　one　of　his　six　lieutenants。　　With　the　force　the　promotion
had　been　most　popular。

Since　his　promotion　Standish　had　been　in　charge　of　the　police…
station　at　Las　Palmas　and　daily　had　seen　Aintree　as；　on　his　way　
down　the　hill　from　the　barracks　to　the　railroad；　the　hero　of　
Batangas　passed　the　door　of　the　station…house。　　Also；　on　the　
morning　Aintree　had　jumped　his　horse　over　the　embankment；　
Standish　had　seen　him　carried　up　the　hill　on　a　stretcher。　　At　the
sight　the　lieutenant　of　police　had　taken　from　his　pocket　a　notebook；
and　on　a　flyleaf　made　a　cross。　　On　the　flyleaf　were　many　other　dates　
and　opposite　each　a　cross。　　It　was　Aintree's　record　and　as　the　number　
of　black　crosses　grew；　the　greater　had　grown　the　resentment　of　Standish；　
the　more　greatly　it　had　increased　his　anger　against　the　man　who　had　put　
this　affront　upon　the　army；　the　greater　became　his　desire　to　punish。

In　police　circles　the　night　had　been　quiet；　the　cells　in　the　yard
were　empty；　the　telephone　at　his　elbow　had　remained　silent；　and　
Standish；　alone　in　the　station…house；　had　employed　himself　in　
cramming　〃Moss's　Manual　for　Subalterns。〃　　He　found　it　a　fascinating
exercise。　　The　hope　that　soon　he　might　himself　be　a　subaltern　
always　burned　brightly；　and　to　be　prepared　seemed　to　make　the　
coming　of　that　day　more　certain。　　It　was　ten　o'clock　and　Las　Palmas
lay　sunk　in　slumber；　and　after　the　down　train　which　was　now　due　
had　passed；　there　was　nothing　likely　to　disturb　her　slumber　until
at　sunrise　the　great　army　of　dirt…diggers　with　shrieks　of　whistles；
with　roars　of　dynamite；　with　the　rumbling　of　dirt…trains　and　
steam…shovels；　again　sprang　to　the　attack。　　Down　the　hill；　a
hundred　yards　below　Standish；　the　night　train　halted　at　the　
station；　with　creakings　and　groanings　continued　toward　Colon；　
and　again　Las　Palmas　returned　to　sleep。

And；　then；　quickly　and　viciously；　like　the　crack　of　a　mule…whip；
came　the　reports　of　a　pistol；　and　once　more　the　hot　and　dripping
silence。

On　post　at　the　railroad…station；　whence　the　shots　came；　was　Meehan；　
one　of　the　Zone　police；　an　ex…sergeant　of　marines。　　On　top　of　the　hill；　
outside　the　infantry　barracks；　was　another　policeman；　Bullard；　once　a　
cowboy。

Standish　ran　to　the　veranda　and　heard　the　pebbles　scattering　as　
Bullard　leaped　down　the　hill；　and　when；　in　the　light　from　the　
open　door；　he　passed；　the　lieutenant　shouted　at　him　to　find　Meehan
and　report　back。　　Then　the　desk　telephone　rang；　and　Standish　
returned　to　his　chair。

〃This　is　Meehan；〃　said　a　voice。　　〃Those　shots　just　now　were　fired　
by　Major　Aintree。　　He　came　down　on　the　night　train　and　jumped　off
after　the　train　was　pulling　out　and　stumbled　into　a　negro；　and　
fell。　　He's　been　drinking　and　he　swore　the　nigger　pushed　him；　and　
the　man　called　Aintree　a　liar。　　Aintree　pulled　his　gun　and　the　
nigger　ran。　　Aintree　fired　twice；　then　I　got　to　him　and　knocked　
the　gun　out　of　his　hand　with　my　nightstick。〃

There　was　a　pause。　　Until　he　was　sure　his　voice　would　be　steady　
and　official；　the　boy　lieutenant　did　not　speak。

〃Did　he　hit　the　negro？〃　he　asked。

〃I　don't　know；〃　Meehan　answered。　　〃The　man　jumped　for　the　darkest　
spot　he　could　find。〃　　The　voice　of　Meehan　lost　its　professional　
calm　and　became　personal　and　aggrieved。

〃Aintree's　on　his　way　to　see　you　now；　lieutenant。　　He's　going　to　
report　me。〃

〃For　what？〃

The　voice　over　the　telephone　rose　indignantly。

〃For　knocking　the　gun　out　of　his　hand。　　He　says　it's　an　assault。
He's　going　to　break　me！〃

Standish　made　no　comment。

〃Report　here；〃　he　ordered。

He　heard　Bullard　hurrying　up　the　hill　and　met　him　at　the　foot　of　
the　steps。

〃There's　a　nigger；〃　began　Bullard；　〃lying　under　some　bushes〃

〃Hush！〃　commanded　Standish。

From　the　path　below　came　the　sound　of　footsteps　approaching　
unsteadily；　and　the　voice　of　a　man　swearing　and　muttering　to　
himself。　　Standish　pulled　the　ex…cowboy　into　the　shadow　of　the　
darkness　and　spoke　in　eager　whispers。

〃You　understand；〃　he　concluded；　〃you　will　not　report　until　you　
see　me　pick　up　a　cigar　from　the　desk　and　light　it。　　You　will　wait
out　here　in　the　darkness。　　When　you　see　me　light　the　cigar；　you
will　come　in　and　report。〃

The　cowboy　policeman　nodded；　but　without　enthusiasm。　　〃I　
understand；　lieutenant；〃　he　said；　〃but；〃　he　shook　his　head　doubtfully；
〃it　sizes　up　to　me　like　what　those　police　up　in　New　York　call　a
'frame…up。'〃

Standish　exclaimed　impatiently。

〃It's　not　my　frame…up！〃　he　said。　　〃The　man's　framed　himself　up。
All　I'm　going　to　do　is　to　nail　him　to　the　wall！〃

Standish　had　only　time　to　return　to　his　desk　when　Aintree　stumbled
up　the　path　and　into　the　station…house。　　He　was　〃fighting　drunk；〃
ugly；　offensive；　all　but　incoherent　with　anger。

〃You　in　charge？〃　he　demanded。　　He　did　not　wait　for　an　answer。　
〃I've　been　'saulted！〃　he　shouted。　　〃'Saulted　by　one　of　your　damned　
policemen。　　He　struck　mestruck　me　when　I　was　protecting　myself。　
He　had　a　nigger　with　him。　　First　the　nigger　tripped　me；　then；　when
I　tried　to　protect　myself；　this　thug　of　yours　hits　me；　clubs　me；　you　
unnerstan'；　clubs　me！　　I　want　him〃

He　was　interrupted　by　the　entrance　of　Meehan；　who　moved　into　the　
light　from　the　lamps　and　saluted　his　lieutenant。

〃That's　the　man！〃　roared　Aintree。　　The　sight　of　Meehan　whipped　him
into　greater　fury。

〃I　want　that　man　broke。　　I　want　to　see　you　strip　his　shield　off　
himnow；　you　unnerstan'；　nowfor　'saulting　me；　for　'saulting　an　
officer　in　the　United　States　army。　　And；　if　you　don't；〃　he　threw　
himself　into　a　position　of　the　prize…ring；　〃I'll　beat　him　up　and　
you；　too。〃　　Through　want　of　breath；　he　stopped；　and　panted。　　Again
his　voice　broke　forth　hysterically。　　〃I'm　not　afraid　of　your　damned　
night…sticks；〃　he　taunted。　　〃I　got　five　hundred　men　on　top　this　hill；　
all　I've　got　to　do　is　to　say　the　word；　and　they'll　rough…house　this　
place　and　throw　it　into　the　cutand　you　with　it。〃

Standish　rose　to　his　feet；　and　across　the　desk　looked　steadily　at
Aintree。　　To　Aintree　the　steadiness　of　his　eyes　and　the　quietness
of　his　voice　were　an　added　aggravation。

〃Suppose　you　did；〃　said　Standish；　〃that　would　not　save　you。〃

〃From　what？〃　roared　Aintree。　　〃Think　I'm　afraid　of　your　night…
sticks？〃

〃From　arrest！〃

〃Arrest　me！〃　yelled　Aintree。　　〃Do　you　know　who's　talking　to　you？　
Do　you　know　who　I　am？　I'm　Major　Aintree；　damn　you；　commanding　
the　infantry。　　An'　I'm　here　to　charge　that　thug〃

〃You　are　here　because　you　are　under　arrest；〃　said　Standish。　　〃You
are　arrested　for　threatening　the　police；　drunkenness；　and　assaulting
a　citizen　with　intent　to　kill〃　　The　voice　of　the　young　man　turned　shrill
and　rasping。　　〃And　if　the　man　should　die〃

Aintree　burst　into　a　bellow　of　mocking　laughter。

Standish　struck　the　desk　with　his　open　palm。

〃Silence！〃　he　commanded。

〃Silence　to　me！〃　roared　Aintree；　〃you　impertinent　pup！〃　He　flung　
himself　forward；　shaking　his　fist。　　〃I'm　Major　Aintree。　　I'm　your　
superior　officer。　　I'm　an　officer　an'　a　gentleman〃

〃You　are　not！〃　replied　Standish。　　〃You　are　a　drunken　loafer！〃

Aintree　could　not　break　the　silence。　　Amazement；　rage；　stupefaction
held　him　in　incredulous　wonder。　　Even　Meehan　moved　uneasily。　
Between　the　officer　commanding　the　infantry　and　an　officer　of　
police；　he　feared　the　lieutenant　would　not　survive。

But　he　heard　the　voice　of　his　lieutenant　continuing；　evenly；　
coldly；　like　the　voice　of　a　judge　delivering　sentence。

〃You　are　a　drunken　loafer；〃　repeated　the　boy。　　〃And　you　know　it。　
And　I　mean　that　to…morrow　morning　every　one　on　the　Zone　shall　know
it。　　And　I　mean　to…morrow　night　every　one　in　the　States　shall　know
it。　　You've　killed　a　man；　or　tried　to；　and　I'm　going　to　break　you。〃
With　his　arm　he　pointed　to　Meehan。　　〃Break　that　man？〃　he　demanded。
〃For　doing　his　duty；　for　trying　to　stop　a　murder？　Strip　him　of　his
shield？〃　The　boy　laughed　savagely。　　〃It's　you　I　am　going　to　strip；
Aintree；〃　he　cried；　〃you　'hero　of　Batangas'；　I'm　going　to　strip　you　
naked。　　I'm　going　to　'cut　the　buttons　off　your　coat；　and　tear　the　stripes
away。'　　I'm　going　to　degrade　you　and　disgrace　you；　and　drive　you　out
of　the　army！〃　He　threw　his　note…book　on　the　table。　　〃There's　your　dossier；
Aintree；〃　he　said。　　〃For　three　months　you've　been　drunk；　and　there's　your
record。　　The　police　got　it　for　me；　it's　written　there　with　dates　and　the　names
of　witnesses。　　I'll　swear　to　it。　I've　been　after　you　to　get　you；　and　I've　got
you。
With　that　book；　with　what　you　did　to…night；　you'll　leave　the　army。　　You
may　resign；　you　may　be　court…martialled；　you　may　be　hung。　　I　don't
give　a　damn　what　they　do　to　you；　but　you　will　leave　the　army！〃

He　turned　to　Meehan；　and　with　a　jerk　of　the　hand　signified　Aintree。

〃Put　him　in　a　cell；〃　he　said。　　〃If　he　resists〃

Aintree　gave　no　sign　of　resisting。　　He　stood　motionless；　his　arms
hanging　limp；　his　eyes　protruding。　　The　liquor　had　died　in　him；　and
his　anger　had　turned　chill。　　He　tried　to　moisten　his　lips　to　speak；
but　his　throat　was　baked；　and　no　sound　issued。　　He　tried　to　focus
his　eyes　upon　the　menacing　little　figure　behind　the　desk；　but　
between　the　two　lamps　it　swayed；　and　shrank　and　swelled。　　Of　one　
thing　only　was　he　sure；　that　some　grave　disaster　had　overtaken
him；　something　that　when　he　came　fully　to　his　senses　still　would
overwhelm　him；　something　he　could　not　conquer　with　his　fists。
His　brain；　even　befuddled　as　it　was；　told　him　he　had　been　caught
by　the　heels；　that　he　was　in　a　trap；　that　smashing　this　boy　who　
threatened　him　could　not　set　him　free。　　He　recognized；　and　it　was
this　knowledge　that　stirred　him　with　alarm；　that　this　was　no　
ordinary　officer　of　justice；　but　a　personal　enemy；　an　avenging　
spirit　who；　for　some　unknown　reason；　had　spread　a　trap；　who；　for
some　private　purpose　of　revenge；　would　drag　him　down。

Frowning　painfully；　he　waved　Meehan　from　him。

〃Wait；〃　he　commanded。　　〃I　don'　unnerstan'。　　What　good's　it　goin'　to
do　you　to　lock　me　up　an'　disgrace　me？　　What　harm　have　I　done　you？
Who　asked　you　to　run　the　army；　anyway？　Who　are　you？〃

〃My