"But I'll resign just the same, sir. Pardon me, sir, but I don't care what you say, now. Things have come to a pass where I've simply got to strike back for myself, sooner than see my family troubled by the idea of my being tried."
"But if your resignation is not accepted, Mr. Ferrers?"
"It will have to be, won't it, if I say that I simply won't bother to stay in the beastly old Army any longer?"
"No; a resignation doesn't have to be accepted, and the fact that you are under charges will operate to prevent the consideration of your resignation until after your trial."
Algy Ferrers looked mightily disturbed over that information.
"Are you serious about wanting to resign and getting out of the Army, Mr. Ferrers?"
"Yes, sir; very much in earnest."
Colonel North thought for a few moments. Then he replied:
"Very good, Mr. Ferrers. You are of no service whatever in the Army, I am sorry to say, though I doubt if you could possibly understand why you are of no use here. If you write your resignation before leaving this room, I will see that the resignation is forwarded, and I will then drop all idea of preferring charges against you."
Colonel North made room at his own desk, after providing the stationery. Algy wrote his resignation as an officer of the Army, signing it with a triumphant flourish.