The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-11-14

Carrofl had be beading over the
dead oflcer and now glanced up.
There's sand just below, Sergeant
he said. That's why they are 20
darn reckless here"
"Of course: they'll hide in the dunes,
and the sooner we're after them the
better. Wade. you remain with the
body; Carroll and l will return to the
fort and report. Well have to have
more men-Wasson II l can get him
and equipment for a hard ride. Come
Oh. 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
K . carefully planned affair. Ser
geant; sending that fellow through to
Ripley was expected to throw US Off
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 a row Of some kind, or else
Mac tried to get away. Any trace of
the girl?"
No; but she must have been there"
SO I think; got mixed up in the af-
fair some way, and they have been
compelled to carry her of to save
themselves. Do you know why they
were after Mac?"
mo, SIR"
well. l 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 n 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
her? 7" 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 f~ugitives. l need another
mana scOut-Wasson, II he a be
spared-and rations for three days"
"Tll do it for Miss Mcdonald, but
not for the money" he said slowly. Il
expect orders every hour for your
troop, and WATSON Is detailed for spe-
cial service. But damn it, I'll 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 q minute until think. I
heard Mcdonald telling about him one
uight at the club, something Mrs. Du-
pont had let slip, but l didn't pay
much attention at the time. Seems to
me. though. It was down on the Cana
dian. No. l have it now-Buffalo
Creek: uns 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"
Il haven't a 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 l believe
they belong to Black Kettles band OF
Cheyennes. His bunch 10 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 q
few hours. Wen run them down, with
good luck, before they cross the CHM
arron. You have no further instruc-
items, sir?"
mo, nothing. Sergeant. You're an
old hand, and know your business, and
there IL no better scout on the plains
than Sam WATSON. Goodbye. and good
luck"
CHAPTER XIV.