"Oh, no!" a slight catch in her voice, "but I am running such a risk venturing here. I--I had to pretend a sick-headache to get away. You must not condemn me until you hear why I came." "I condemn? Hardly, Miss McDonald. I am merely a soldier receiving orders; 'mine not to question why.' Here is the window; now sit down on this bench. I 'll keep guard, and listen." His voice sank lower, a little touch of tenderness in it impossible to disguise. "Are you in trouble? Is it something I can aid you to overcome?" She did not answer at once but rested her chin in one hand, and turned her eyes away. Her breath came swiftly, as though she had not yet recovered from fright, and her face in the dim light looked white and drawn. "Yes, you can," she began slowly, "I am sure you can. I--I came to you because there was no one else in whom I felt the same confidence. I know that sounds strange, but I cannot explain--only it seems natural to trust some people even when you do not know them very well. I do not suppose I know you very well; just those few hours we were together, but--somehow I think you are true." "I certainly hope so," he put in earnestly. "I couldn't very well help being--with you." "I believe that," and she lifted her eyes to his face. "Yet I do not wish you to think me bold, or--or indiscreet. You do not think so, do you?" "That idea has never once occurred to me, Miss McDonald. I am only too glad to be of service." "It is good of you to say that; you see, there was no one else." "Your father?" he suggested. "But that is the very trouble," she insisted, rejoicing that he had thus unconsciously opened the way to her confession. "It is because my father is involved, is completely in her toils, that I am compelled to appeal to you. He will not listen to a word against her." "Her? You refer to Mrs. Dupont?" "Of course; why, I hadn't mentioned her name! How did you guess?" "Because I am not entirely ignorant of conditions," he answered soberly. "Although I have only been at the post a short time, I have managed to see and hear a good deal. You know I chanced to become involved in the shooting of Lieutenant Gaskins, and then I saw you riding with Mrs. Dupont, and recognized her." "Recognized?" in surprise. "Do you actually mean you knew her before?" "Not as Mrs. Dupont, but as Vera Carson, years ago. She knew me at once, and sent your driver over to the barracks with a note." "Why, how strange. She asked me so many questions, I wondered at the interest shown. Do you mind telling me what the note was about?" "Not in the least. She referred to the past, and asked me to meet her." "Were you--very intimate? Great friends?"