Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-25

curl0uS cnange Ill nm. lie was erec' and somewhat soldierly in his bearing he had let his hair grow until it rested upon the handkerchief knotted about his throat while his dress now aped that of the more picturesque scouts yet was still half military. Buckskir trousers, down which at the outer seams was dripping of fringe, were tucked into high boots. Over his red flannel shirt he wore tunic or blouse also of buckskin, fringed the length of the arms and belted at the waist like hunting shirt. A vest no longer con cealed his revolvers. His weapons were at his side, like a troopers. h one gauntleted hand he held a wide gray hat.
 You want to see me, cap'n?" he asked, meeting that officers look squarely.
 "Yss," answered Oliver shortly "I demand an exact account of your time for the past thirty-six hours, begin ming with the evening after the de parture of the command. I need not tell you why I ask this, and I make no apology for asking There are reasons for your wanting that old man over there out of the way. You attacked his house in the winter during his ab- sence, when two defenseless women were at home to repel your attack. That lays you open to mistrust. I may add that Lancasters eldest girl re. gards you as her fathers murderer"
 As Oliver talked his woebegone face had grown fierce and dark. Now he rose, lifting clinched fists. Murder" he cried, under my very nose and against a household that I had sworn to guard! Speak, Matthews. speak"
 Matthews screwed up his mouth thoughtfully and looked into space. Beginning the ev-ning after the com mand left?" he said. "Let me see. Why, I ain't crossed since the colonel left"
 Account for your time," repeated Oliver.
 q messed at Blakely's that night. Afterward me and Kippis had little game"
 What game"
 Cards"
 "Ahr' At once Oliver sent for the sutler and the sergeant and. waiting for them, tramped up and down. When the men came he halted and with pointed finger asked Matthews to repeat his story. The interpreter did so.
 And how long did that game last" demanded Oliver
 Without looking in Kippis' direction the interpreter answered. ''Till rev ely" he said
 Fraser grunted. the surgeon smiled broadly. but the captain drowned.
 "Of that. later" he said significant ly. "KippisF"
 The sergeant stepped forward. Hits hall true. sir" he faltered. It was Kippis' misfortune always to look more guilty than he was. With OIL ver's angry gaze upon him he flushed redder than fire.
 The captain was only half satisfied. He turned to the sutler And you, Blakely?"
 The sutler had a round. jolly figure figure that was a living advertise ment of tine fat producing quality of his edible wares. At Oliver's question that figure gave a startled bounce. like a kernel of corn on a hot grid. True. sir, true" he vowed huskily and coughed in apprehension behind plump hand.
 The captain looked keenly from man to man. Very we'll" he said- Those twelve hours accounted for. Matthews was shown innocent of planting the pole. Tell me what you did yester- day from reveIly on"
 Slept till stgbIes.-
 q know that's so." said Fraser.
 After thatT- Oliver asked.
 'I goes fnts the stOckade. Little Thief was carving his bride.-
 The captain glanced ct Fraser. The latter nodded hack
 T remember said Oliver slowly. STheng-
 Cards till reveIIy"
 The listening officers lauzhed
 But there was 10 softeniBg of the esptain-s face- ~Wb0 played with youT
 Matthews indicated the sutier and the sergeant bT a sideways move of the head Then tvo.- he answered