The citizen., 1913-06-20
CHAPTER XIV.
An Old Acquaintance

Hamlin across TO the commandants s
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 ease.
There were half a dozen officers
gathered in the small room. the gray
bearded Colonel in command. sitting
behind table, with Major Mcdonald
at his right. and the others wherever
they could find standing room.
Sergeant" the Colonel said rather
brusquely, YOU came in last night
with NJ troop, did you not?"
Yes, sir"
Had you ever met Lieutenant Gas
kins before"
Once; he pulled me out of bad
scrape with bunch of Indians out on
the trail few months ago"
THE same affair I spoke to you
ahout.' commented Mcdonald quietly
The attack on the stage"
The Colonel nodded. without remoY-
ing his eyes from the Sergeant's face.
Yes, know about that" he said.
And that was the only occasion of
your meeung?
Yes, sir"
We'll, Sergeant Hamlin, purpose
being perfectly frank with you. There
are two or three matters not easily
explained about this affair | am sat
isfied of your innocence: that you
we're not directly concerned in the
shooting OF Lieutenant Gaskins. Men
of your troop stare that you were in
barracks when the shots were fired,
and the wound was not made by a
service revolver but by much small
er weapon Yet there are circum
stances which puzzle us. but which,
no doubt, YOU can explain. Two shots
had been fired from your revolver. -
and he pushed the weapon across the
table.
Il rode ahead of the troop in 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?"
Tho Corro,nt'S prav avos smiled
but his response was quietly respect
full.
Il was condemned before really
knew what had occurred, sir. The
sentry, the Sergeant of the guard.
and the Lieutenant all insisted that |
was guilty. They permitted me no
opportunity TO explain. | thought 1t
jus, as well to remain quiet, and let
the affair straighten itself out"
Yet your action threw us complete
ly off the trail" broke in Mcdonald
impatiently. ut 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 a woman?' he
questioned sharply.
Hamlin's heart leaped into his
throat. but he held himself motionless.
They were indistinguishable, sir;
mere shadows. Have you reason to
suspect there may have been woman
involved?"
The Major leaned back in his chair,
but the commandant, after glance at
his officer, answered:
"The pistol used was small one,
such as woman might carry, ana
there are marks OF a wcman's shoe
plainly visible at the edge OF the ra-
vine Lieutenant Gaskins was alone
when he left the officers club five min
utes before the firing began. You are
sure you have never had any contro-
yersy with this officer?"
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 the Col
onel spoke very soberly, do you ac-
count for his denouncing you as his
assassin"
81 presumed he was influenced by
my arrest, sir; that the shock had af-
fected his brain"
THAT supposition will hardly an
swer. The Lieutenant rs not severely
wounded, and this morning appears to
be perfectly rational. Yet he insists
YOU committed the assault; even re-
fers to you by name"
The accused man pressed one hand
TO his forehead in bewilderment
"He still insists shot him?"
Yes: to be frank, he's rather bitter
about it, and no facts we have brought
TO bear have any apparent weight. He
swears he recognized your face in the
fare of the first discharge"
The Sergeant stood silent, motion
less. his gaze on the ColonePs face.