The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-11-07


pile OF papers. Both officers glanced
up. r~esenting the interruption, as Kane
entered. Hamlin following. The for
mel explained the situation briefly,
while the commandant 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.
We shall have to examine into this.
OF course, but will probably discover
the whole affair a false alarm. There
Is, at present, M 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?"
YES. SIR"
And this Mrs. Dupont7 You have
had q previous acquaintance with
herr"
Some years ago."
You consider her q dangerous
woman"
Il know her to be utterly unscrupu.
lous, sir. am prepared to state that
she is here under false pretenses,
claiming to be q niece Of Major Nc
Donald's. I do rot know her real pur-
pose, but am convinced 1t 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 a companion. Deuced pretty, too;
hey, Benson? Why do you say she
masquerades a McDonald's niece?"
Because her maiden name was Car
0 and the Majors sister married a
man named Counts"
There might have been another
marriage. Surely Mcdonald must
know"
Miss Molly say not. Colonel. He
mas known nothing Of his sister for
over twenty years. and accepted this
woman on her word"
We'll, we'll! Interesting situation;
hey, Benson? Like to get to the bot
tom myself. Damme If it don't sound
like a 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 a thorough examination Of
McDonald's quarters first. If the girl
is not found there, detail two men to
accompany Sergeant Hamlin or n
search of the town."
Very well, sir; come on, Sergeant"
"Just a moment-if we find the trail
lied to continued"
Certainly, yes. Adjutant, write out
the order. Anything more?"
Il should prefer two men Of my own
troop, sir, mounted"
Very we'll; 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 eApedi
ton, and the two troopers. experienced
soldiers, asked no Unnecessary ques-
tons. 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 a 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. Il am not
in charge Of Miss Mcdonald. She is
| uO QOuOL dJIQolll6 ACloCll SOlupN mere,
possibly lying down W. at the hotel;
she complained of q headache earlier
in the evening. Why do you come to
me?"
"Yes," broke In the Captain, thar
is what / wish to know, Hamlin. By
what authority are you here?"
1.-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" defiantly. her cheeks red.
Nor of what has become of Con-
nors, or your ranch manager?"
She shrugged her shoulders. endeav.
oring 10 smile.
1.-The parties mentioned are OF very
small interest to me-"
And Major Mcdonald" he insisted,
utterly ignoring the increasing anger
OF the officer beside her. Possibly