The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-21
CHAPTER -

1 @A NNIS and Schuchardt started 1 A at sight of Isanier's white 1 face. Ennis sprang to his l side. Help me off with 1 these," he said, land bring a lamp. Come upstairs, Barker" There were but two sleeping rooms aloft in the 1 little bachelor set. Into this room marched Bob Lanfer and threw open the door of the single closet wherein was hanging uniform and civilian garb in some profusfon Ennis held the
 lamp on high. and with his free hand
 Lanier began throwing out the con tents-a new uniform dress coat, an older one that had done duty for the three previous years, two sack coats or 1sblouses,' etc. Then appeared suit of evening clothes, carefully ham, dled. The closet was well nigh emp ty, and Ianier faced them with the simple words, "Tt's gone!''
 Whats gone ?'' demanded Ennis.
 "Why, that dark gray mixture sack suit I brought from leave last year. It always hung way back in here"
 <"Who wants it now, I'd like to know 2'' demanded Ennis.
 "Our colonel. who accuses me of cos tuning Rawdon for his getaway"
 Then Barker spoke: Its only fair to the colonel to fel the rest. Bob. Raw don's box, that he left for safe keeping wath friend in town, had not only the suit you saw at the office, but new fur cap with your name in it. The day of the storm Quinlan came over to the guardhouse after bis visit here wearing a new cap Instead of his old one, and Cassidy swooped on it, thinking it yours. for it was here he got it, and the name in that cap was Rawdon. It leaked out somehow. Fitzroy hunted the story down"
 HThe name was burnt out when Cas- sidy brought it back to me- said La n1er slowly. 'sHe claimed that in lighting his pipe''-
 Poor Cassidy lied every way he could think of to save you,'' said Bar ker ruefully. '.It's the young cad you befriended and helped along that's fricked you in the end"
 'sRoped Rafferty in. too. suppose" said Schuchardt.
 "Rafferty, doubtless. to the extent of bribing or wheedling him out of Bob's new cits''-
 seBut those were not mine that Fitz- roy hadr' burst in Lanier.
 "Of course not He's left you worn suit in place of the new. Where'd he steal that one. I wonder? There isn't another officer of your size and build at the post. But. here; I've got to go back and report, and my report will be in these words: MT. Lanier will be robbed too.'" And Barker made for the stairs.
 "One nome11t,'' called Ennis sfYou said Bob wasn't the only man this fel- low had tricked. Do you mean He paused suggestively- -sz.v
 "I meanAyes-tflat there's more than ane man and there's at least one roor girl in the garrison to mourn that fel- lows loss, and be d. to him!' Ard with that Barker was gone
 Button listened to his adjutants re- port with something almost like q sheer. Stannard and Sumter heard it with grave faces. but without a word. 1 Snaf1e, who had drifted in, sniggered with obvious triumph.
 "Gentlenen." said the colonel, 'syou have not heard the half of what l l know, and every day brings something new. This cop1es in from Laramie to- day, brought with the mail that lay over at the Chugwater during the l storm. Read that, Stannard." And l Stannard took the paper and glanced over it. bhnked his eyes, sniffed and 1 said, i've heard about that case, l and I'll take Laniers story any day l against that fellows affidavit
 Major Stannard." said Button se- l verely, you are speaking contemptu- ously of your superior off1cer.''