to discover what has become of Miss
McDonald." He straightened up in his chair, then leaned across the
table. "Captain Kane, make a thorough examination of McDonald's
quarters first. If the girl is not found there, detail two men to
accompany Sergeant Hamlin on a search of the town."

"Very well, sir; come on, Sergeant."

"Just a moment--if we find the trail leads beyond the town are we
authorized to continue?"

"Certainly, yes. Adjutant, write out the order. Anything more?"

"I should prefer two men of my own troop, sir, mounted."

"Very well; see to it, Captain."

The two men walked down past the dark row of officers' houses, the
Sergeant a step to the rear on the narrow cinder path. McDonald's
quarters were as black as the others, and there was no response from
within when Kane rapped at the door. They tried the rear entrance with
the same result--the place was plainly unoccupied.

"Pick out your men, Hamlin," the Captain said sternly, "and I 'll call
the stable guard."

Ten minutes later, fully equipped for field service, the three troopers
circled the guard-house and rode rapidly down the dark road toward the
yellow lights of the town. The Sergeant explained briefly the cause of
the expedition, and the two troopers, experienced soldiers, asked no
unnecessary questions. Side by side the three men rode silently into
the town, and Hamlin swung down from his saddle at the door of the
dance hall. With a word to the guard he crossed the floor to intercept
Mrs. Dupont. The latter regarded his approach with astonishment, her
hand on Captain Barrett's blue sleeve.

"Certainly not," she replied rather sharply to his first question. "I
am not in charge of Miss McDonald. She is no doubt amusing herself
somewhere; possibly lying down over at the hotel; she complained of a
headache earlier in the evening. Why do you come to me?"

"Yes," broke in the Captain, "that is what I wish to know, Hamlin. By
what authority are you here?"

"The orders of the Colonel commanding, sir," respectfully, yet not
permitting his glance to leave the woman's face. "You insist then,
madam, that you know nothing of the girl's disappearance?"

"No!" defiantly, her cheeks red.

"Nor of what has become of Connors, or your ranch manager?"

She shrugged her shoulders, endeavoring to smile.

"The parties mentioned are of very small interest to me."

"And Major McDonald," he insisted, utterly ignoring the increasing
anger