Part 23 (2/2)
”No, the order came by telegram later. An orderly was sent down about ten o'clock. But, see here, Sergeant, I am no Bureau of Information.
If you have anything to report, make it brief.”
Hamlin glanced at the face of the other. He knew little about him, except that he had the reputation of being a capable officer.
”I will, sir,” he responded quickly; ”you may never have heard of the affair, but I was with Miss McDonald during a little Indian trouble out on the trail a few months ago.”
The officer nodded.
”I heard about that; Gaskins brought her in.”
”Well, ever since she has seemed grateful and friendly. You know how some women are; well, she is that kind. To-night she came to me, because she did n't seem to know whom else to go to, and told me of some trouble she was having. I realize, Captain Kane, that it may seem a bit strange to you that a young lady like Miss McDonald, an officer's daughter, would turn for help to an enlisted man, but I am telling you only the truth, sir. You see, she got it into her head somehow that I was square, and--and, well, that I cared enough to help her.”
”Wait a minute, Sergeant,” broke in Kane, kindly, realizing the other's embarra.s.sment, and resting one hand on his sleeve. ”You do not need to apologize for Miss McDonald. I know something of what is going on at this post, although, d.a.m.n me if I 've ever got on to the straight facts. You mean that Dupont woman?”
”Yes, she 's concerned in the matter, but there are others also.”
”Why could n't the girl tell her father?”
”That is where the main trouble lies, Captain. Major McDonald seems to be completely under the control of Mrs. Dupont. He is apparently afraid of her for some reason. That is what Miss Molly spoke to me about. We were on the side porch at the hotel talking while the dancers were at supper--it was the only opportunity the girl had to get away--and Mrs. Dupont and her husband came into the parlor--”
”Her husband? Good Lord, I thought her husband was dead.”
”He is n't. He 's a tin-horn gambler, known in the saloons as 'Reb,' a big duffer, wearing a black beard.”
”All right, go on; I don't know him.”
”Well, I stepped into the room to keep the two apart, leaving the girl alone outside. We had a bit of talk before I got the room cleared, and when I went back to the porch, Miss Molly had gone.”
”Dropped over the railing to the ground.”
”That's what I thought at the time, sir, but what happened to her after that? She did n't return to the hotel; she was not at the dance hall, and has n't come back to the post.”
”The h.e.l.l you say! Are you sure?”
”I am; I searched for her high and low before I left, and she could not get in here without pa.s.sing the guard-house.”
Kane stared into the Sergeant's race a moment, and then out across the parade ground. A yellow light winked in the Colonel's office, occasionally blotted out by the pa.s.sing figure of a sentry. The officer came to a prompt decision.
”The 'old man' is over there yet, grubbing at some papers. Come on over, and tell him what you have told me. I believe the la.s.s will turn up all right, but it does look rather queer.”
The Colonel and the Post Adjutant were in the little office, busy over a pile of papers. Both officers glanced up, resenting the interruption, as Kane entered, Hamlin following. The former explained the situation briefly, while the commandant leaned back in his chair, his keen eyes studying the younger man.
”Very well, Captain Kane,” he said shortly, as the officer's 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, no necessity for alarming any others. Sergeant, kindly explain 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?”
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