Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-02-13
the way the escape had been accom-

Wnom Hamlin was attempting to CON
ceal, possibly overhearing enough ~
their conversation to become fright
ened at the final outcome, Kiss Nc
donald. In sudden desperation. had
surrounded the rail. and dropped Ia
the ground. The rest would be EASY
to hasten around the side Of the house
and slip IN through the front door.
Assured that this must be tho t,,,
explanation. the serseant's cheerful
ness returned. The company OF on.
Gers and guests had already fled out
through the hall; he could hear voices
laughing and talking in the street. and
the band tuning up their Instruments
ACROSS in the dance hall. He would %
over and make certain OF her MOS.
ence. then his mind would be at case
He passed out through the desert
hallway. and glanced in at the din
lng-room, where number of men were
gathering up the dishes. Beyond this
the bar-room was crowded. a r,fYran
lined up before the sloppy bar. among
these number In uniform-unat,
tached officers who had loitered be-
hind to quench their thirst. HamIin
drank little, cut fingered a moment
Just inside the doorway, to observe
who was present. Uhconsciously ha
was searching for Dupont, half In
clined4 to pick quarrel deliberately
with the fellow or with Connors deter.
mined II he found the little rat alone
to brighten whatever knowledge he
possessed out Of him. But neither
worthy appeared. Having assured him.
self of their absence, Hamlin turned
to depart. but found himself facing a
little man with long hair, roughly
dressed. who occupied the doorway
Ine hooked nose, and bright eyes.
peering forth from a mass Of IN.
trimmed gray whiskers. were familiar.
You keep the junk shop down by
the express office. don't your"
Yep" briskly. seeming business in
the question. I'm Kaplan; vot could
I do for you-hey p, ~
answer a question, IL you will.
friend. Do you recall selling a haver.
sack to traveller on the last stage out
for Santa Fe IN June?"
Vel. ! do no: vas he = biz feliovf
Maybe dc Won vat vas killed-hey
Yes: his name was Moylan. post.
sutler at Fort Marcy"
Maybe dot yos it. Why you want
to know-hey?"
No harm to you. Kaplan," tho Scr.
seant explained. only picked Il
up out there after Moylan was killed.
and discovered by some writing on the
nap that 1t originally belonged to :
friend OF mine. / was curious to learn
how 1t got into your hands,"
The trader shrugged his shoulders.
"Vud 1t be worth drink" he asked
cannily.
'of course. Frank. give Kaplan
Whatever he wants. Now, fire away"
Vel" and the fellow filled his glass
deliberately, ut vas sold mo aix
months before by a fellow
alsi Dub SssFf~=s
Dat vos DIS name ov de fellar, yes
Now know 1t. saw him here again
soon. You know him."
"Ey sight only: he is not the orig
inal owner, nor the man am trying to
trace. You know nothing of where he
got the bag. presumed"
Il know noting more as tell you
alreatty," rather disconsolately, as he
realized that one drink was al he was
going to receive.
Hamlin e}bowed 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 Duponts possession through his
wife, but this knowledge yielded no in
formation as to the present where
abouts 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
!y 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 for moment beside
the guard. where he was able to sur
vey 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 anxiously for the Ma
jor, only to 1ssure himself of his alb
sence also. Could they have returned
to the fort as early as this? II SO.
how did 1t 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 aOl.1jar hoaifotnd an ius+,nt a,