"Captain," he demanded, "I wish you to instruct me
on a point of law."
Carr's brow relaxed. He was relieved to find that Ranson had awakened
to the seriousness of the charges against him.
"That's what I'm here for," he said, encouragingly.
"Well, captain," said Ranson, "if an officer is under arrest as I am
and confined to his quarters, is he or is he not allowed to send to
the club for a bottle of champagne?"
"Really, Ranson!" cried the captain, angrily, "you are impossible."
"I only want to celebrate," said Ranson, meekly. "I'm a very happy
man; I'm the happiest man on earth. I want to ride across the prairie
shooting off both guns and yelling like a cowboy. Instead of which I
am locked up indoors and have to talk to you about a highway robbery
which does not amuse me, which does not concern me--and of which I
know nothing and care less. Now, YOU are detailed to prove me
innocent. That's your duty, and you ought to do your duty, But don't
drag me in. I've got much more important things to think about."
Bewilderment, rage, and despair were written upon the face of the
captain.
"Ranson!" he roared. "Is this a pose, or are you mad? Can't you
understand that you came very near to being hanged for murder and
that you are in great danger of going to jail for theft? Let me put
before you the extremely unpleasant position in which you have been
ass enough to place yourself.
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