The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-01-16
Now know it. saw him here again
soon. YOu know him? g

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, I presumed"
II know noting more as 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 it, along with other truck, seeming
ly 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
and glanced in at the whirling dancers.
There were few loiterers at the door
way and he stood for moment beside
the guard, where he was able to sur
vey the entire room. Mrs. Dupont was
upon the floor, and swept past twice,
without lifting her eyes in recognition,
but neither among the dancers, nor
seated, could he discover Miss Molly.
Startled at not finding her present,
Hamlin searched anxiously for the Ma
jor, only to assure himself of his alb
sence also. Could they have returned
to the fort as early as this? If so,
how did it happen their guest was still
present, happily enjoying herself? OF
course she might be there under es-
cort of some one else-Captain Bar
rett, possibly. He would ask the in
fantryman.
Have you seen Miss Mcdonald
since supper?"
The soldier hesitated an instant, as
mo, l amt, now you speak of it. She
went out with that kid over there, and
he came back alone. Don't believe
he's danced any since. The Major was
here, though; Connors brought him a
note few minutes ago, and he got his
hat and went out"
Hamlin drew a breath of relief.
Girl must have sent for him to take
her home" he said. We'll, it's time
for me to turn in-good-right, old
man."
He tramped along the brightly ilIu-
road leading up the bluff to the fort,
his mind occupied with the events OF
the evening, and those other Incidents
leading up to them. There was no
doubt that Miss Mcdonald and her IA
Their had returned to their home. But
what could he do to assist her? The
very knowledge that she had volun-
@tarily appealed to him, that she had
come to him secretly with her trouble,
brought strange happiness. Moreover
his former acquaintance with Mrs. Du-
pont gave him clue to the mystery.
Yet how was he going to unravel the
threads, discover the motive, find out
the various conspirators? What were
they really after? Money probably, but
possibly revenge What did the wom-
an know which enabled her to yield
such influence over Mcdonald? What
was the trap they proposed springing?
The Sergeant felt that he could solve
these problems if given an opportuni-
ty, but he was handicapped by his po-
sition; he could not leave his troop,
could not meet or mingle with the sus-
pected parties; was tied, hand and
foot, by army discipline. He could net
even absent himself from the post
without gaining special permission. He
swore to himself over the hopeless
ness of the situation, as he tramped
through the blackness toward the
guard-house. The sentinel glanced at
his pass, scrutnizing it by the light OF
a fire, and thrust the paper into his
pocket. Hamlin advanced, and at the
corner saluted the officer of the day.
who had just stepped out of the guard
house door.
Good evening, Sergeant" the latter
said genially. "Just in from town? l
expect they are having some dance
down there tonight"
Eyes, sir" hesitatingly, and then
venturing the inquiry: May 1 ask if
Major Mcdonald has returned to the
post?" ,.-. ....r
Mcdonald? No." he glanced at his
watch. He had orders to 90 east to
Ripley on the stage. That was due out
about an hour ago."
ITO Ripley? BY stage?" the Ser.
geant repeated the words, dazed
'Why-why, what has become Of Miss
McDonald?" ...
The officer smiled, shaking his head.
I'm sure don't know, my man." he
returned carelessly. Come back with
Barrett and his ladylove. likely. Why?"
suddenly interested by the expression
on the others face. Whats hap