Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-12-19

shadows of which he was in Iursuit. il
was simply impossible to tell which di-
rection they had taken. They had van
ished from the face of the earth and
were lost in the deeper gloom that hung
about the scattered array of wooden
buildings-store houses, fuel sheds and
cook sneds-at the rear of the post.
Had it been his own troop he could
have reused the first sergeant and order
ed a ''check" roll call as a means of de-
termining at once who the night prowl-
ers might be; but Capt. Wayne had his
peculiarities, and one of them was an
unalterable and deeply rooted objection
to any interference on the part of other
officers in the management of his men.
Perry's first thought, too, was of the sta
bles and Sergt. Gwynne. Were they
meditating another foray, and had the
feeling spread outside their own COM
pany? No time was to be lost. He turn
ed his face eastward to where the dark
outlines of the stables could be dimlv
traced against the. sky, and fastened,
stumbling at times over stray tin cans
and other discarded rubbish. until he
crossed the intervening swale aud reach
ed the low bluff along which the crude.
implanted structures were ranged. All
was darkness here towards the northern
end, and the one sentry who had exter-
nal charge of the entire line was slowly
pacing his post; Perry could see his form,
dimly outlined. as he breasted the slope.
and it determined him TO keep on in the
hollow until he got to point opposite
the stables of his own troop. If there
was to be any devilment it might be well
to see whether this soldier, too, would
turn out to be in league with the con-
spirators. Listening intently as he hur-
ried along, but hearing nothing, Perry
soon found himself at the pathway lead
ing to his own domain. and the next
minute was gazing in surprise at light
burning dimly in the window of the lit
tie room occupied by Sergt. Gwynne;
there was not glimmer elsewhere along
the line.
Striding up to the window, he tapped
lightly, and Gwynne's voice sternlv
challenged from within, who's there:'
Lieut.. Perry, sergeant. Comeeround
and open the stable door for me-"
Zone moment, sir" was the answer.
and he heard the sergeant bounding, APP
parently, off his bed. Then a hand drew
aside the shade, and Gwynne's face APP
peared at the window, while small Ian
tern was held so as to throw its rays on
the face without, "All right. sir" he
continued. II thought / could not be
deceived in the voice.
Perry walked around to the front again.
taking another survey of the sleeping
garrison as he did so. and listening once
more for footsteps; but all was still.
Presently the little panel in the big door
was unlocked from within. and the lieu
tenant bent low and entered, finding
Gwynne, lantern in hand, standing in his
uncompromising attitude of attention
at the entrance.
Everything been quiet here to-nightg'
he asked, as he Strengthened up.
Perfectly so, sir"
"Come into your room a moment; l
want to speak to YOU said Perry, after
a moments reflection.
They passed along the broad gangway
between the rows of sleepy horses. some
lying down in their stalls, others still
afoot and munching at their hay. The
stable guard stood at his post and faced
them as they turneH into the dark and