. She waited a half-hour, then she
stole into Val's bedroom, and when she emerged again she had a bundle
of clothes across her arm. A few minutes more and she walked into the
sitting-room dressed in Val's clothes, and with her hair closely wound
on the top of her head.

The house was still. The Prairie Star made the room light enough for her
purpose. She took Sergeant Tom's cap and cloak and put them on. She drew
the envelope from his pocket and put it in her bosom--she showed the
woman there, though for the rest of this night she was to be a Rider of
the Plains, She of the Triple Chevron.

She went towards the door, hesitated, drew back, then paused, stooped
down quickly, tenderly touched the soldier's brow with her lips, and
said: "I'll do it for you. You shall not be disgraced--Tom."

III

This was at half-past ten o'clock. At two o'clock a jaded and blown
horse stood before the door of the barracks at Archangel's Rise. Its
rider, muffled to the chin, was knocking, and at the same time pulling
his cap down closely over his head. "Thank God the night is dusky," he
said. We have heard that voice before. The hat and cloak are those of
Sergeant Tom, but the voice is that of Jen Galbraith. There is some
danger in this act; danger for her lover, contempt for herself if she
is discovered. Presently the door opens and a corporal appears. "Who's
there? Oh," he added, as he caught sight of the familiar uniform; "where
from?"

"From Fort Desire. Important orders to Inspector Jules. Require fresh
horse to return with; must leave mine here. Have to go back at once."

"I say," said the corporal, taking the papers--"what's your name?"

"Gellatly--Sergeant Gellatly."

"Say, Sergeant Gellatly, this isn't accordin' to Hoyle--come in the
night and go in the night and not stay long enough to have a swear at
the Gover'ment. Why, you're comin' in, aren't you? You're comin' across
the door-mat for a cup of coffee and a warm while the horse is gettin'
ready, aren't you, Sergeant--Sergeant Gellatly, Sergeant Gellatly? I've
heard of you, but--yes; I will hurry. Here, Waugh, this to Inspector
Jules! If you won't step in and won't drink and will be unsociable,
sergeant, why, come on and you shall have a horse as good as the one
you've brought. I'm Corporal Galna."

Jen led the exhausted horse to the stables. Fortunately there was no
lantern used, and therefore little chance for the garrulous corporal to
study the face of his compan