The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-07-31

The Colonel end the Post Adjutant
were in the little Office. busy over a
pile of papers. Both officers glanced
up, resenting the interruption, as Kane
entered, Hamlin following. The for
mer explained tile situation briefly,
while the commandment leaned back in
his chair, his keen eyes studying the
younger man.
Very we'll, Captain Kane" he said
shortly. as the officers story ended.
eve 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 Colonel's questions frankly.
"This. then, was the only time you
have met since your arrival?"
Eyes, sir"
"And this Mrs. Dupont? You have
had a previous acquaintance with
herr"
Some years ago."
you consider her dangerous
woman?" .,.
Il know her to be utterly unscrupu-
lous, sir. l am prepared to state that
she is here under false pretenses,
claiming to be a niece Of Major Nc
Donald's. do not know her real pur-
pose, but am convinced 1t Is an evil
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 fol
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 il it don't sount
like novel. However, the thing be
fore us right now is to discover wha
has become of Miss Mcdonald" HI
Strengthened up in his chair, ther
leaned across the table. Captain
Kane, make thorough examination o
Mcponald's quarters first. If the CIR
is not found there, detail two men tt
accompany Sergeant Hamlin on ;
| search of the town."
very we'll, sir; come on, Sergeant.
"Just a moment-if we find the trai
leads beyond the town are we author
ICED to continue?"
Certainly, yes. Adjutant, write on
the order. Anything more?"
Il should prefer two men of my owl
troop, sir, mounted"
Every we'll; see to it, Captain"
The two men walked down past thu
dark row OF officers houses, the Ser
geant a step to the rear on the mar
row cinder path. McDonald's quarter
were as black as the others, and ther'
was no response from within whel
Kane raped at the door. They trie;
the rear entrance with the same re
subtitle place was plainly unoccu
pied.
"Pick out your men, Hamlin," thu
Captain said sternly, land I'll call tn
stable guard"
Ten minutes later, fully equippe,
for field service, the three troopers Gil
cled the guard-house and rode rapidl
down the dark road toward the yellow
lights of the town. The Sergeant ex
planned briefly the cause of the eXped
; ton, and the two troopers, experience
soldiers, asked no unnecessary Ques
tions. Side by side the three men rod
silently into the town, and Hamli
swung down from his saddle at tn
door of the dance hall. With wor
, to the guard he crossed the floor to in
tercept Mrs. Dupont. The latter re
garded his approach with astonis{
|
blue sleeve.
"Certainly not" she replied rathe
sharply to his first question. 81 am nc
in charge of Miss Mcdonald. She
no doubt amusing herself somewhere
> possibly lying down over at the hotel
, she complained of headache earle
in the evening. Why do you come t
( me?"
EYES," broke in the Captain, "ths
) is what l wish to know, Hamlin. B
what authority are you here?"
, THE orders of the Colonel comman,
ing, SIR" respectfully, yet not permi
ting his glance to leave the woman
face. ."You insist then, madam, thu
you know nothing of the girls disa]
! pearance"
mol" defiantly, her cheeks red.
Nor of what has become of Coz
! nors, or your ranch manager?"
t She shrugged her shoulders, endea
! oring to smile,
"The parties mentioned are of ve1
, cr,o1l iutorpSt tn me-"