s the parade. The Fosters' sleigh, that by
this time should have been back at the assembly room, was nowhere in
sight. Sumter's quarters were about the middle of the row. Lanier's were
at the eastward end. For the moment the complaint of the aggrieved
sergeant was ignored. All men stood waiting, watching. Then, on a
sudden, two or three black forms darted from the shadow of the middle
quarters. One came running out across the parade, hardly slackened speed
at the hail of Captain Sumter, pointed back with one hand, shouted
something that doubled Sumter's pace, but hurried onward toward the
group.

It was Conroy, corporal-of-the-guard. "The adjutant orders me to report
Number Five sick, sir," he panted to the colonel. "I found him all
doubled up in the coal-shed back of the major's. 'T wasn't him hollered.
'T was somebody at Captain Sumter's. They got the steward over from the
hospital, but they want the sergeant and some of the guard to search the
back buildings."

"_Who_ wants them?" demanded the colonel.

"The adjutant, sir. Lieutenant Blake's with him. There has been some
prowlers--and the young ladies were frightened."

"They are safely home?" asked the colonel. "Then where's the sleigh?"

"They're home all right, sir, and the sleigh went on out of the east
gate--to the store, I suppose. Number Six didn't stop it----"

"One moment," interposed the colonel. "Sergeant-of-the-guard, take four
of your men and report to Captain Sumter; or to the adjutant. Now,
corporal, when was this cry heard?"

"Just after the young ladies got home, sir--leastwise that's what I was
told. We didn't hear it at the guard-house."

"Was the officer-of-the-guard over there?"

"Not the--new one, sir, but----" And then the corporal suddenly stopped,
contrite and troubled.

"But what?" demanded the colonel, instant suspicion in his eyes and
tone. "Do you mean that Lieutenant Lanier was there--out of his
quarters?"

"Out of his head, if he was," growled the paymaster, who loved him well
and was deeply concerned over his trouble.

"I--I didn't see him, sir," answered the young soldier, but in manner so
confused that it simply added to the commander's suspicion.

"Come with me, Horton," said the colonel to his quartermaster, and
turning back for his cap and overcoat. Then once again the voice of the
aggrieved and importunate sergeant was heard, this time with convincing
appeal.

"I beg the colonel's pardon, but if he wants to get