The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-07-25
COPYRIGHT 1912 BY A.C. MC.LuR6 & co

plished. Alarmed by the presence of
those others, suspecting that the wom-
an within would insist on learning
whom Hamlin was attempting to con
ceal, possibly overhearing enough of
their conversation to become fright
ened at the final outcome, Miss Nc
Donald, in sudden desperation. had
surmounted the rail. and dropped to
the ground. The rest would be easy
to hasten around the side OF the house.
and slip in through the front door.
Assured that this must be the full
explanation, the Sergeant's cheerful.
ness returned. The company of Off.
GERS and guests had already filed out
through the hall; he could hear voices
laughing and talking in the street. and
the band tuning up their instruments
across in the dance hall He would go
over and make certain of her pres.
ence, then his mind would be at ease.
He passed out through the desert
hallway, and glanced in at the din
ing-room, where a number OF men were
gathering up the dishes. Beyond this
the bar-room was crowded, riffraff
lined up before the sloppy bar, among
these a number in uniform-unat-
tached officers who had loitered be-
hind to quench their thirst Hamlin
drank little, hut fingered a moment
just inside the doorway, to observe
who was present. Unconsciously he
was searching for Dupont. half in
clined to pick quarrel deliberately
with the fellow or with Connors. deter
mined II he found the little rat alone
to brighten whatever knowledge he
possessed out of him. But neither
worthy appeared. Having assured him.
self of their absence, Hamlin turned
to depart, but found himself facing a
little man with long hair, roughly
dressed, who occupied the doorway
The hooked nose, and bright eyes,
peering forth from a mass of un
trimmed gray whiskers, were familiar
You keep the junk shop down by
the express Office, don't you?"
Yep" briskly. seeming business in
the question. I'm Kaplan; vot could
do for you-hey?"
Answer a question If you will,
friend Do you recall selling a haver-
sack to a traveller on the last stage out
for Santa Fe IN June?"
Vel, | do no; vas he a big fellow
Maybe dc Won vat vas killed-hey?"
Yes; his name was Moylan. post
sutler at Fort Marcy"
Maybe dot vos it. Why you want
to know-hey?'
mo harm to you. Kaplan," the Ser
geant explained. only l picked it
up out there after Moylan was killed
and discovered by some writing on the
flap that it originally belonged to a
friend of mine. | was curious to learn
how it got into your hands"
The trader shrugged his shoulders.
"Vud it be worth drink" he asked
cannily.
"Of course. Frank. give Kaplan
whatever he wants. Now, fire away"
VEL" and the fellow filled his glass
deliberately, lit vas sold me six
months before by a fellow vat had a
black beard"
Dupont"
Dat vos de name ov de fellar. yes.
Now | know It. saw him here again
soon. You know him."
by sight only; he is not the orig
inal owner, nor the man am trying to
trace You know nothing of where he
got the bag, | presumed"
Il know noting more as l tell you
alreatty," rather disconsolately. as he
realized that one drink was all he was
going to receive.
Hamlin elbowed his way out to the
street. He had learned something, but
not much that was OF any value. I'm
doubtedly the haversack had come in
to Dupont's possession through his
wife, but this knowledge yielded no in
formation as to the present where
abouts OF lie Fevre. When the latter
had separated from the woman. the
old army bag was left behind. and,
needing money. Dupont had disposed
of 1t, along with other truck, seeming
~ OF little value.
The Sergeant reached this conclu
sion quickly, and. satisfied that any
further investigation along this line
would be worthless. reverted to his
earlier quest-the safety of Miss Nc
Donald. Merely to satisfy himself of
her presence. he crossed the street