The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-05-15

got the bag, | presumed"
Il 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
Rbouts 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 Tor a moment beside
the guard, where he was able to sur
Ney 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 a~n1iously for the Ma
jor, only to assure himself Of his alb
senoe 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 support"
The soldier hesitated an instant, as
though endeavoring to remember.
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 a 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-night, old
man."
He tramped along the brightly illu-
mined street, and out upon the dark
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 a clue to the mystery.
Yet how was he going to unravel tho
threads, discover the motive, find out
the various oonspirators? What were
they really afterf 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 II given an opportuni.
ty. but he was handicapped by his 20
sition; he could not leave his troop,
could not meet OF mingls with the sus-
pected parties; was tied, hand and
foot, by army discipline. He could not
even absent himself from the post
without gaining special permission. He
wore to himself over the hopeless
ness Of the situation, as he tramped
through the blackness toward the
suard-house. The sentinel glanced at
his pass, s~crutinizing 1t 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"
yes, SIR" hesitatingly, and then
v~enturing the inquiry: May / ask IL
Major Mcdonald has returned to the
postf"
Mcdonald? No." he glanced at his
watch. "He had orders to go east to
Ripley on the stage. That wal due out
about an hour ago."
ITO Ripleyf BY stagef" the Ser
geant repeated the words. daxed