"You keep the junk shop down by the express office, don't you?" "Yep," briskly, scenting business in the question. "I 'm Kaplan; vot could I do for you--hey?" "Answer a question if you will, friend. Do you recall selling a haversack to a traveller on the last stage out for Santa Fe in June?" "Vel, I do' no; vas he a big fellow? Maybe de von vat vas killed--hey?" "Yes; his name was Moylan, post-sutler at Fort Marcy." "Maybe dot vos it. Why you vant to know--hey?" "No harm to you, Kaplan," the Sergeant explained. "Only I picked it up out there after Moylan was killed, and discovered by some writing on the flap that it originally belonged to a friend of mine. I was curious to learn how it got into your hands." The trader shrugged his shoulders. "Vud it be worth a drink?" he asked cannily. "Of course. Frank, give Kaplan whatever he wants. Now, fire away." "Vel," and the fellow filled his glass deliberately, "It vas sold me six months before by a fellow vat had a black beard--" "Dupont?" "Dat vos de name ov de fellar, yes. Now I know it. I saw him here again soon. You know him?" "By sight only; he is not the original owner, nor the man I am trying to trace. You know nothing of where he got the bag, I presume?" "I know notting more as I tell you alreatty," rather disconsolately, as he realized that one drink was all he was going to receive. Hamlin elbowed his way out to the street. He had learned something, but not much that was of any value. Undoubtedly the haversack had come into Dupont's possession through his wife, but this knowledge yielded no information as to the present whereabouts of Le Fevre. When the latter had separated from the woman, this old army bag was left behind, and, needing money, Dupont had disposed of it, along with other truck, seemingly of little value. The Sergeant reached this conclusion quickly, and, satisfied that any further investigation along this line would be worthless, reverted to his earlier quest--the safety of Miss McDonald. Merely to satisfy himself of her presence, he crossed the street and glanced in at the whirling dancers. There were few loiterers at the doorway and he stood for a moment beside the guard, where he was able to survey the entire room. Mrs. Dupont was upon the floor, and swept past twice, without lifting her eyes in recognition, but neither among the dancers, nor seated, could he discover Miss Molly. Startled at not finding her present, Hamlin searched anxiously for the Major, only to assure himself of his absence also. Could they have returned to the fort as early as this? If so, how did it happen their guest was still present, happily enjoying herself? Of course she might be there under escort of some one else--Captain Barrett, possibly. He would ask the infantryman. "Have you seen Miss McDonald since supper?" The soldier hesitated an instant, as though endeavoring to remember.