stle
of a railway engine not a mile behind--Number Six at last, and coming
full tilt--the very train, perhaps, that they, the young couple, hoped
and meant to take, and might have taken on their eastward way had not
Fitzroy, keen-eyed, quick-witted, and vengeful, been there in time to
bar the move.

And then in the soldier soul of big Jim Ennis was born a strange,
sudden, and somewhat unprofessional spirit of opposition. Starting out
in the hope of finding and restoring to her father's roof the sorrowing
fugitive, Jim Ennis veered right round to the purpose of succoring a
maiden in distress. If marriage was Rawdon's motive in bidding her join
him, then Rawdon was honest after all, and who was he or who was Fitzroy
to stand in the way and stop it? No, by all the Arts of Peace and the
Articles of War, Rawdon was right and d---- be the man that sought to
check him.

Five minutes later, with the big engine and train coming hissing and
grinding to a stop at the platform, Ennis sprang from his panting horse,
tossed the reins to one trooper, and, followed by the other, shouldered
his way through a little knot of staring townsfolk and up to a group at
the edge of the platform. A trim-built young fellow in civilian dress
was struggling in the grasp of two detectives; a terrified girl was
clinging to his arm, tears streaming down her face; a clerical-looking,
elderly stranger was expostulating; a man in the cap and dress of a
railway conductor was vehemently arguing with a stocky sergeant of
cavalry, who seemed master of the situation, and greatly enjoying his
own importance. A pale-faced young woman, whom the conductor of Number
Six addressed as Mrs. Osborn, was imploring his aid, when, to the amaze
of the sergeant, this big subaltern in boots and spurs bulged in between
him and Conductor Osborn and demanded to know the nature of the trouble.

"I've run down this man, at last, sir," gulped Fitzroy, flustered, but
making valiant effort at control, "as you see, sir, only in the nick of
time."

"Oh, Mr. Ennis," cried Dora, throwing herself upon him and clasping his
arm, "Rawdon has done no wrong. We are married. Here are our friends to
prove it. _Why_ should they arrest him?"

"Colonel's orders, lieutenant. Arrest him wherever found," said Fitz
stoutly, "and I've a sl--stage here to take him back."

"On charges of your own invention, Sergeant Fitzroy," said Ennis icily,
"no one of which you'll ever prove. Have you any warran