nt's, with Mr. Hay's
compliments, the day before he left for the front, and sure he couldn't
have drunk all av it, and if the back dure was open Pete would inquire
anyhow."

That was all Michael remembered or felt warranted in revealing, for
stoutly he declared his and their innocence of having burglariously
entered any premises, let alone the lieutenant's. "Sure they'd bite
their own noses off fur him," said Mike, which impossible feat attested
the full measure of halfbreed devotion. Mistress McGann decided to make
further investigation before saying anything to anybody; but, before the
dawn of another day, matters took such shape that fear of sorrowful
consequences, involving even Michael, set a ban on her impulse to speak.
Field, it seems, had been at last induced to sleep some hours that
evening, and it was nearly twelve when he awoke and saw his desk on a
table near the window. The attendant was nodding in an easy chair; and,
just as the young officer determined to rouse him, Mrs. Dade, with the
doctor, appeared on tiptoe at the doorway. For a few minutes they kept
him interested in letters and reports concerning his father's condition,
the gravity of which, however, was still withheld from him. Then there
were reports from Tongue River, brought in by courier, that had to be
told him. But after a while he would be no longer denied. He demanded to
see his desk and his letters.

At a sign from the doctor, the attendant raised it from the table and
bore it to the bed. "I found things in some confusion in your quarters,
Field," said Waller, by way of preparation, "and I probably haven't
arranged the letters as you would if you had had time. They were lying
about loosely--"

But he got no further. Field had started up and was leaning on one
elbow. The other arm was outstretched. "What do you mean?" he cried.
"The desk hasn't been _opened_?"

Too evidently, however, it had been, and in an instant Field had pulled
a brass pin that held in place a little drawer. It popped part way out,
and with trembling hands he drew it forth--empty.

Before he could speak Mrs. Dade suddenly held up her hand in signal for
silence, her face paling at the instant. There was a rush of slippered
feet through the corridor, a hum of excited voices, and both Dr. Waller
and the attendant darted for the door.

Outside, in the faint starlight, sound of commotion came from the
direction of the guard-house,--of swift footfalls from far across