“Sergeant Patterson, sir,” announced the orderly, in the doorway. “Send him in,” answered the colonel gruffly. While he was talking with the sergeant, giving him his despatches and certain other oral directions, Mrs. Colonel had thrown herself across the exit to prevent the departure of Dell. Dell threw her arms about Mrs. Colonel, kissed her, and set her aside as easily as she would have moved a child. “Don’t worry about me, _please_!” and Dell went out. A moment later Patterson followed her. “Where’s Dell?” demanded the colonel, whirling around. “She’s--she’s gone!” answered Mrs. Colonel. “Orderly,” champed the colonel, “to the stable, at once. See that Miss Dauntless, on no account, is allowed to saddle and ride off with her mount, Silver Heels--the white cayuse--everybody here knows the animal.” “Sorry, sir,” announced the orderly, with a troubled look, “but the white cayuse was put under saddle at the same time Patterson’s mount was made ready.” “What?” “She asked me to have it done, calling out from an up-stairs window a moment after you and Captain Lund separated.” “And you did it! What was done with the horse?” “The sergeant brought Silver Heels along when he rode up to the porch, sir.” The colonel rushed to the porch. Silver Heels was nowhere in sight, and neither was Dell. Patterson was just riding through the stockade gate. “She’s gone, for sure!” growled the colonel. “Orderly, tell Lund and Hepburn to mount quickly and ride south, to overtake Miss Dauntless, if they can, and bring her back. Tell them to keep the trail for two hours, if need be.” That night the colonel had little appetite for his supper. There was much to do, however, and he busied himself about it until eleven o’clock. By that time, Lund and Hepburn had returned. Dell Dauntless was not with them. “No luck, colonel,” reported Captain Lund. “Miss Dauntless got away from us.” “She’ll have to go, then,” growled the colonel, tossing his hands. “Whoever heard of such a madcap?” “I’ve been talkin’ with Pecos, the ’Pache scout, colonel,” said Lund, “and, personally, when a girl can do what she did while with Cody and his pards down near the Three-ply Mine, I don’t think there need be much worry on her account.” “It doesn’t make any difference whether we need to worry or not,” went on the colonel; “she’s gone, and she got away from me. What would her father say if he were alive?” “She’s a daring girl--and a pretty one,” and there was a far-away look in Lund’s eyes as he said it. He was a bachelor. “Too all-fired daring,” snorted the colonel, “but we’ve got business on our hands and can’t bother about Dell.” CHAPTER XXII. “’PACHES ARE UP!”