WHEN the two young corporals had had time to cool down somewhat, Hal made a racket on his cell door until a house policeman came to see what was wanted.
"Will you bring me paper and an envelope?" Hal asked.
"Want to make your will, I suppose," jeered the policeman.
"No; I intend to write a note to my company commander."
"Is he out at camp?"
"Yes."
"Who do you think is going to take the note out there?"
"Call a messenger boy, and I will pay him for going out there," Corporal Hal replied.
"I don't believe the lieutenant at the desk will do it," returned the policeman.
"See here," Hal went on, warming up perceptibly, "we are members of the United States forces, under detention by the civil authorities. Now, the civil authorities have full right to arrest United States soldiers on proper charges. We'll let the question pass of whether we've been properly arrested. But, as members of the United States Army, we have a right to communicate with our commanding officer. If this isn't done, the governor of Colorado is quite likely to hear from Washington. Now, we demand paper and envelope, and also that a messenger boy be called to take our letter."