The Winslow mail., 1913-10-04

| pile Of papers. Both officers glanced
up, resenting the interruption, as Kane
entered, Hamlin following. The for
mer explained the situation briefly,
while the commandant leaned back in
! younger man.
Very we'll, Captain Kane" he said
| shortly, as the 9fficer's story ended.
1--WE shall have to examine into this,
of course, but will probably discover
the whole affair false alarm. There
| is, at present, no necessity for alarm
ing any others. Sergeant, kindly ex-
plain to me why Miss Mcdonald should
have come to you in her distress?"
Hamlin stepped forward, and told
the story again in detail, answering
the Colonels questions frankly.
This, then, was the only time you
have met since your arrival?"
Eyes, sir"
And this Mrs. Dupont? You have
had previous acquaintance with
| herr"
Some years ago."
you consider her a dangerous
woman?"
II know her to be utterly unscrupu-
lous, sir. l am prepared to state that
she is here under false pretenses,
claiming to be niece Of Major Nc
Donald's. do not know her real pur-
pose, but am convinced it is an evil
i one.'
The Colonel shook his head doubt
fully, glancing at the silent adjutant.
THAT remains to be proven, Ser
geant. have, of course, met the lady,
and found her pleasant and agreeable
as companion. Deuced pretty, too;
hey, Benson? Why do you say she
masquerades as McDonald's niece?"
Because her maiden name was Car
son and the Majors sister married a
man named Counts"
There might have been another
marriage. Surely Mcdonald must
know"
Miss Molly says not, Colonel. He
mas known nothing of his sister for
over twenty years, and accepted this
woman on her word"
well, we'll! Interesting situation;
hey, Benson? Like to get to the bot
tom myself. Damme if it don't sound
like novel. However, the thing be-
fore us right now is to discover what
has become of Miss Mcdonald" He
Strengthened up in his chair, then
leaned across the table. Captain
Kane, make thorough examination of
McDonalds quarters first. If the girl
is not found there, detail two men to
accompany Sergeant Hamlin on a
search of the town."
Very well, sir; come on, Sergeant"
| "Just moment-if we find the trail
leads beyond the town are we author
lied to continue?"
Certainly, yes. Adjutant, write out
the order. Anything more?"
Y II should prefer two men of my own
| troop, sir, mounted"
Very well; see to it, Captain"
! The two men walked down past the
dark row of officers houses, the Ser
geant a step to the rear on the mar
row cinder path. McDonald's quarters
were as black as the others, and there
was no response from within when
Kane raped at the door. They tried
the rear entrance with the same re-
sult-the place was plainly unoccu-
| pied.
| "Pick out your men, Hamlin," the
Captain said sternly, land I'll call the
stable guard"
Ten minutes later, fully equipped
for field service, the three troopers cir
cled the guard-house and rode rapidly
| down the dark road toward the yellow
| lights of the town. The Sergeant ex-
planned briefly the cause of the expedi-
ton, and the two troopers, experienced
soldiers, asked no unnecessary ques-
| tions Side by side the three men rode
silently into the town, and Hamlin
| swung down from his saddle at the
door of the dance hall. With word
to the guard he crossed the floor to in
| tercept Mrs. Dupont. The latter re-
garded his approach with astonish-
ment, her hand on Captain Barrett's
blue sleeve.
Certainly not" she replied rather
sharply to his first question. II am not
in charge of Miss Mcdonald She is
no doubt amusing herself somewhere;
possibly lying down over at the hotel;
she complained of headache earlier
in the evening. Why do you come to
me?"
"Yes," broke in the Captain, "that
is what l wish to know, Hamlin. By
what authority are you here?"
"The orders of the Colonel command
ing, sir" respectfully, yet not permit
ting his glance to leave the woman's
face. "You insist then, madam, that
you know nothing of the girls disap-
pearance?"
| MOI" defantly, her cheeks red.
Nor of what has become of Con
nors, or your ranch manager?"
She shrugged her shoulders, endeav-
oring to smile
"The parties mentioned are of very
small interest to me-"
"And Major Mcdonald" he insisted,