nspired by a desire to see their features the
Sergeant swung himself over the rail, and dropped lightly to the
ground. In another moment he was out on the street, in front of the
hotel, watching the open door. The two passed within a few feet of
him, clearly revealed in the light streaming from the dance hall. The
soldier lagged somewhat behind, an insignificant, rat-faced fellow, but
the larger man walked straight, with squared shoulders. He wore a
broad-brimmed hat pulled low over his eyes, and a black beard concealed
the lower portion of his face. Hamlin followed as the two pushed their
way up among the idle crowd congregated on the wooden steps, and peered
in through the wide doorway. Satisfied that he would recognize both
worthies when they met again, and realizing now something of the plot
being operated, Hamlin edged in closer toward the sergeant who was
guarding the entrance. The latter recognized him with a nod.

"Pretty busy, Masters?"

"Have been, but there will be a lull now; when they come back from
supper there 'll be another rush likely. Would you mind taking my job
a minute while I go outside?"

"Not in the least; take your time. Let me see what the tickets look
like. That 's all right--say, Masters, before you go, do you know that
big duffer with a black beard in the front line?"

The other gave a quick glance down the faces.

"I've seen him before; dealt faro at the Poodle Dog a while; said to be
a gun-man. Never heard his name. Oh, yes, come to think about it,
they called him 'Reb'--Confed soldier, I reckon. Ain't seen him before
for a month. Got into some kind off a shootin' scrap up at Mike
Kelly's and skipped out ahead of the marshal. Why?"

"Nothing particular--looks familiar, that 's all. Who 's the soldier
behind him--the thin-faced runt?"

"Connors. Some river-rat the recruiting officers picked up in New
York; in the guard-house most of the time; driver for Major McDonald
when he happens to be sober enough."

"That is where I saw him then, driving the ladies. Knew I had seen
that mug before."

Left alone, except for the infantry man at the other side of the
entrance, and with nothing to do beyond keeping back the little crowd
of curious watchers thronging the steps, Hamlin interested himself in
the assembly, although keenly conscious of those two men who continued
to linger, staring into the brilliantly lighted room. That the two
were closely involved with Mrs. Dup