not much that was of any value. Undoubtedly the haversack had come
into Dupont's possession through his wife, but this knowledge yielded
no information as to the present whereabouts of Le Fevre. When the
latter had separated from the woman, this old army bag was left behind,
and, needing money, Dupont had disposed of it, along with other truck,
seemingly of little value.

The Sergeant reached this conclusion quickly, and, satisfied that any
further investigation along this line would be worthless, reverted to
his earlier quest--the safety of Miss McDonald. Merely to satisfy
himself of her presence, he crossed the street and glanced in at the
whirling dancers. There were few loiterers at the doorway and he stood
for a moment beside the guard, where he was able to survey the entire
room. Mrs. Dupont was upon the floor, and swept past twice, without
lifting her eyes in recognition, but neither among the dancers, nor
seated, could he discover Miss Molly.

Startled at not finding her present, Hamlin searched anxiously for the
Major, only to assure himself of his absence also. Could they have
returned to the fort as early as this? If so, how did it happen their
guest was still present, happily enjoying herself? Of course she might
be there under escort of some one else--Captain Barrett, possibly. He
would ask the infantryman.

"Have you seen Miss McDonald since supper?"

The soldier hesitated an instant, as though endeavoring to remember.

"No, I ain't, now you speak of it. She went out with that kid over
there, and he came back alone. Don't believe he 's danced any since.
The Major was here, though; Connors brought him a note a few minutes
ago, and he got his hat and went out."

Hamlin drew a breath of relief. "Girl must have sent for him to take
her home," he said. "Well, it 's time for me to turn in--good-night,
old man."

He tramped along the brightly illumined street, and out upon the dark
road leading up the bluff to the fort, his mind occupied with the
events of the evening, and those other incidents leading up to them.
There was no doubt that Miss McDonald and her father had returned to
their home. But what could he do to assist her? The very knowledge
that she had voluntarily appealed to him, that she had come to him
secretly with her trouble, brought strange happiness. Moreover his
former acquaintance with Mrs. Dupont gave him a clue to the mystery.
Yet how was he going to unravel the thread