, voice and manner at once betraying the soldier and
the habit of authority and command. It was as imperative as the crisp,
curt "Halt" of veteran sentry, and effective as though backed by
levelled bayonet.

But if Stannard for an instant looked for demur, resistance, attempt to
avoid, or even a trace of confusion on the part of this transmogrified
trooper, the idea as quickly vanished. A wave of color, it is true,
swept instantly to the young fellow's temples, but the sudden light of
recognition in his handsome eyes was frank and fearless. Quickly he
whirled about, courteously he raised his cap, instinctively his heels
clicked together as he stood attention to his squadron leader of the
summer agone.

"I beg the major's pardon," said he. "I did not expect him here, and had
never seen him in civilian dress."

And now the detective, too, was on his feet, and curiously noting the
pair.

"You're on furlough I understand, but I heard--my wife said--you were
in Chicago."

"Mrs. Stannard was right, sir. My wife and her father are there now,
visiting my sister. Doctor Mayhew told me of the charges against
Lieutenant Lanier, and that is what brings me back at once."

"Going back at once?" began the major, mollified, yet mystified. "I
presume you know more of these matters than any one else."

"With possibly two exceptions, sir. I hope to nab one of them here."

"Lowndes?" queried Stannard.

"Lowndes," answered Rawdon.

"Then you're just the man we want."

That afternoon as the Union Pacific express stood ready at the Union
station for the start, there boarded one of the sleepers a burly,
thick-set, bluff-mannered man in huge fur overcoat, close followed by
two younger companions. One of these latter, erect and graceful in
bearing, alert and quick in every movement, with clear-cut and handsome
features, was dressed with care and taste, evidently a man accustomed to
metropolitan scenes and society; the other, a youth of probably his own
age, though looking elder, was sallow, shabby, with a dejected
down-at-the-heel expression to his entire personality that told
infallibly of failure and humiliation. At a sign from their leader he
dropped dumbly into a section, settled himself next the frosty window,
with his head shrunk down in his worn coat-collar, and his slouch hat
pulled over his eyes.

"Better pull off that overcoat and make yourself comfortable, Lowndes,"
said the younger man. "You've a long journey ahead.