Eastern Colorado times., 1913-07-04

Carroll had be, bending over the
dead officer and now glanced up.
There's sand just below, Sergeant"
he said. That's why they are SO
darn reckless here"
"Of course; they'll hide in the dunes,
better. Wade, you remain with the
body; Carroll and will return to the
fort and report. Well have to have
more men-Wasson If can get him
and equipment for hard ride. Come
on. Jack"
They waded the river, and ran
through the town, shouting their dis
covery to the marshal and his posse
as they passed. Twenty minutes later
Hamlin stood before the Colonel, hasti-
ly telling the story. The latter lis
tened intently. gripping the arms Of
his chair.
Shot from behind, hey?" he ejacu.
lated, "and his clothing stolen. Looks
like a. carefully planned affair. Ser
geant; sending that fellow through to
Ripley was expected to throw US on
the track. That's why they were SO
careless covering their trail; expected
to have several days start. 1t Is my
notion they never intended to kill
him; had row of some kind, or else
Mac tried to get away. Any trace of
the girl?" ..
No; but she must have been there"
SO think; got mixed up in the af-
fair some way, and they have been
compelled to carry her off to save
themselves. Do you know why they
were after Mac?"
"No, SIR"
well. do; he carried thirty thou
sand dollars"
"What?"
He was acting paymaster. The
money came In from Wallace last eve-
ming, and he was ordered to take it to
Ripley at once"
Hamlin drew in his breath quickly
in surprise.
who knew about that, sir?"
mo one but the Adjutant, and Ma
jor McDonald-not even the orderly"
The eyes Of officer and soldier met
DO you suppose he could have told
herr" the former asked in sudden sus-
picion.
That would be my theory, sir. But
1t Is useless to speculate. We have no
proof, no means Of forcing her to con-
fess. The only thing for US to do Is to
trail those fugitives. l need another
mana scout-Wasson, If he can be
spared-and rations for three days"
"Ill do it for Miss Mcdonald. but
not for the money" he said slowly. II
expect orders every hour for your
troop, and Wasson Is detailed for spe-
cial service. But damn it, III take the
responsibility-go on, and run those
devils down"
you know this man Dupont, Col
onel?"
only by sight"
ANY idea where he used to run cat
tle?"
Wait minute until l think. l
heard Mcdonald telling about him ono
night at the club, something Mrs. Du-
pont had let slip, but l didn't pay
much attention at the time. Seems to
me. though, 1t was down on the Cana
dian. No, l have 1t now-Buffalo
Creek; runs into the Canadian. Know
such a stream"
"You think 1t was Dupont, them"
1--WE heard Of It; in west OF the
North Fork somewhere"
II haven't n doubt that he is in the
affair, and that the outfit is headed for
that section. l don't know, sir, where
those Indians came from, or how they
happened to be up here, but believe
they belong to Black Kettles band of
Cheyennes.. His bunch is down below
the Canadian. is it not, sir?"
yes"
Dupont must be friendly with them,
and this coup has been planned for
some time. Last night was the chance
they have been waiting for. The only
mistake In their plans has been the
early discovery because of Miss Mol
ly's disappearance. They have gone
away careless. expecting two or three
days start, and they will only have a
few hours. Well run them down, with
good luck, before they cross the Cim-
arron. You have no further instruc-
tions. sir?"
mo, nothing. Sergeant. You're an
old hand, and know your business, and
there is no better scout on the plains
than Sam Wasson. Goodbye and good