The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-17
GENERAL CHARLES
 KING,
Author of ''The Colonel's Daughter"
 '.Foes In Ambush" Etc.

the hilt of his Saber. Enn1S came 10 the door, but came with gloomy brow
 q am ordered by Colonel Button to ask certain questions Of Lieutenant Ianier,'' said the official.
 ttHow's that, doc?' called Ennis over his massive shoulder. tfCan your patient see the officer of the day?'
 seNot. vet. with my consent" came the stout answer.
 .sShout your questions, captain" sang out the patient, with much too little humility of manner, yet Banler knew Curbit well and knew his mis- sion to be unwelcome.
 etIs Trooper Rawdon in hiding any where about your quarters: ?"
 sHe is not, if know it."
 tsHaye you seen him-tonightw w
 An instant's pause then, T don't know whether I have or not"
 stYou don't know?'' exclaimed Curbit, puzzled and beginning to bristle-
 seI don't knowi'' repeated Lanier
 suppose the colonel tells me to ex- plain that,'' began Curbit, but pr. Schuchardt set his foot down summari- 1y.
 aHere," said he, ssthis things got. to stop. Lanfer's in highly nervous and excited state He doesn't know whom he has seen since he got home in ar resi-
 tsWell, the old man wants to see that young Rawdon forthwith, for many people believe he's skipped
 s'You can track anything but ghost In this new fallen snow.p Curbit lowered his voice. That's ex- actly the trouble, doctor. Go to the. back of the quarters and see for your > self. His trail starts and ends here '
 In all It's history Fort Gushing had never known such day of beWilder- ment as that which followed. Guard mounting was held as usual at a. m., and Colonel Button, awaiting in his office the coming of the old and the new officers of the day, directed his ad- jutant to drop his own work at their entrance and give attention to what took place. t
 All eyes were on the two burly cap tains who entered at 8:3o, fur capped, fur g1oved, in huge overcoats and arc tics. The wind had begun to whine and stir.
 Blizzard coming,' said Scott as he glanced at the su1len skies.
 s.I report as old officer of the day, sir" said Curbit. with, brief salute, tehdering the guard report book.
 The colonel went straight to busar ness,
 tsNo sign of Trooper Rawdon?" ystNo, sir.''
 ssHis horse and kit all right?" stAIl right, sir.''
 ePolice notified to watch all trains and stagesg
 sfYes, sir.'' ~
 There was impressive silence in the office.
 TEiobt rnen bed gone with Sergeant Stowel1 as escort to the paymaster when, nearly four weeks earlier. he had set forth on his trip. Then the lit tie iron safe was full of money. Seven men had come back with him, whens as the safe was well nigh empty, the paymaster said he hardly needed an escort Of the eight who started, four were sscasuals'' who belonged to com panies stationed at Fort Frayne, well up in the Indian country, and there they remained when the duty was over Of the seven who came with Stowe1I, three belonged atFort Frayne, corporal and two men or Captaln Raymond's troop, and they came fortl- fled with the orders of their post com, mander, copy of which was now in Bankers hands
 .sWhat I don't understand.'' said the  about and addressing the paymaster, sis how or why those men should be down here.''
 4'It seems simple answered scott placidly, he being entirely independ- ent of the post commander. From Frayne had to go to the cantonmehts up along the Big Horn, and we doubled the size of the escort accordingly. When we got back there these three were permitted to come all the way, whether to buy Christmas things for the F'rayne folk or for affairs of their own didn't inquire"
 gro whom did you assign them for rations and souarters?' demanded the colonel of Barker.
 ttCaptain Snaffie, sir, c troop
 EfAre they thefe-the others, at least ?''
 Corporal Watts and Trooper Ames are there, sir Treeper Rawdon. as you know. is not. Ee has not been seen about the quarters since some time last evening"
 Again a pause. Then presently, ''You arrested Kelly, I see, the man who was on No, 5.''
 .'Yes, sir Both Dr. Schuchardt and the steward said his sickness was due to drink. I believe he was doped-"
 That he could get whisky any where along back of the officers quar- lters,'' said the colonel ref1ectively as well as redecting. ''is not improbable. That it should have been doped. judg-> ing from the\ way one or two have misbehaved. is not impossible. The usual orders for the present. captain" said he to the new incumbent. And you are relieved. Captain Curbit." to l the old. But 1 shall need to see you later. so do not leave the post"
 '.The man that leaves the post this | day. said Major Scott. with a squint