Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-07-25
CHAPTER XIV.
An Old Acquaintance.

An Old Acquaintance.
1t was late in the forenoon when
the heavily armed guard marched
Hamlin across to the commandments
office. He had been surprised at the
delay. but had enjoyed ample oppor-
tunity to plan a course of action, and
decide how best to meet the questions
which would be asked. He could clear
himself without involving her, with
out even a mention of her presence.
and this knowledge left him confident
and at eas
There we're half a dozen officers
gathered In the small room. the gray
bearded Colonel in command, sitting
behind a table, with Major Mcdonald
at his right, and the others wherever
they could find standing room.
Sergeant" the Colonel said rather
b%rusquely, you came in last night
with M troop. did you not?"
Yes, SIR"
Had you ever met Lieutenant Gas
kins before?"
Once; he pulled me out of a bad
scrape with a bunch of Indians out on
IAlO lidll a Low ulOLlAS dSO.
THE anne affair l spoke to you
about" commented Mcdonald quietly.
THE attack on the stage"
The Colonel nodded, without remov-
ing his eyes from the Sergeant's face.
Yes, l know about that" he said.
And that was the only occasion of
your meeting?"
Yes, sir"
We'll, Sergeant Hamlin. / purpose
being perfectly frank with you. There
are two or three matters not easily
explained about this affair. l am sat
isfied of your innocence; that you
were not directly concerned in the
shooting Of Lieutenant Gaskins. Men
of your troop state that you were in
barracks when the shots were fired,
and the wound was not made by a
service revolver, but by a much small
err weapon. Yet there are circum-
stances which puzzle us, but which,
no doubt, you can explain. Two shots
had been fired from you revolver"
and he pushed the weapon across the
table.
Il rode ahead Of the troop i n march
yesterday" Hamlin explained. land
fired twice at a %jack-rabbit. l must
have neglected to replace the cart
ridges. Private Stone was with me-"
why did you submit to arrest SO
easily, without any attempt to clear
yourself?"
The %Sergeant's gray ayes smiled.
but his response was quietly respect
full.
Il was condemned before 1 really
knew what had occurred. sir. The
sentry. the Sergeant OF the guard.
and the Lieutenant all Insisted that l
was guilty. They permitted me no
opportunity to explain. thought 1t
just as well to remain quiet, and let
the affair straighten itself out"
Yet your action threw us complete
~ of the trail" broke in Mcdonald
impatiently. 1T permitted the really
guilty parties to escape. Did you see
any one?"
BLACK smudges merely, Major. ap-
parently running toward the ravine.
My eyes were blinded, leaping from a
lighted room"
Mcdonald leaned forward eagerly.
one hand tapping the table.
WAS one of them . woman?" he
questioned sharply.
Hamlin's heart leaped into his
throat, but he held himself motionless.
They were indtstinguishable, sir;
mere shadows. Have you reason to
suspect there may have been ! woman
involved?"
Tho Major leaned back in his chair,
but the commandant. after 4 glance at
his omcer, answered:
The pistol used wal . small one,
such a. . woman might carry, and
there are marks Of 4 woman's shoe
plainly visible at the edge Of the ra-
vine. Lieutenant Gaskins was alone
when he left the officers club nve min
utes before the firing began. You are
SURF you have never had \ contro-
yersy with this ofacerf"
Perfectly sure, sir. We have never
met except on the one occasion al
ready referred to. and then scarcely
= dozen words were exchanged"
How then, Sergeant" and tho Col
onel spoke very soberly, do you &C
count for his denouncing you ~ his
a~ssassin?"
Il presumed he wa Influenced by
my arrest, sir; that the shock had AZ
tected his brain"
THAT superstition will hardly an
swer. The Lieutenant II not severely
wounded, and this morning appears to
be perfectly rational. Yet he insists
you committed the assault: sven re-
fers to you BY name"
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