"Very well, sir; come on, Sergeant." "Just a moment--if we find the trail leads beyond the town are we authorized to continue?" "Certainly, yes. Adjutant, write out the order. Anything more?" "I should prefer two men of my own troop, sir, mounted." "Very well; see to it, Captain." The two men walked down past the dark row of officers' houses, the Sergeant a step to the rear on the narrow cinder path. McDonald's quarters were as black as the others, and there was no response from within when Kane rapped at the door. They tried the rear entrance with the same result--the place was plainly unoccupied. "Pick out your men, Hamlin," the Captain said sternly, "and I 'll call the stable guard." Ten minutes later, fully equipped for field service, the three troopers circled the guard-house and rode rapidly down the dark road toward the yellow lights of the town. The Sergeant explained briefly the cause of the expedition, and the two troopers, experienced soldiers, asked no unnecessary questions. Side by side the three men rode silently into the town, and Hamlin swung down from his saddle at the door of the dance hall. With a word to the guard he crossed the floor to intercept Mrs. Dupont. The latter regarded his approach with astonishment, her hand on Captain Barrett's blue sleeve. "Certainly not," she replied rather sharply to his first question. "I am not in charge of Miss McDonald. She is no doubt amusing herself somewhere; possibly lying down over at the hotel; she complained of a headache earlier in the evening. Why do you come to me?" "Yes," broke in the Captain, "that is what I wish to know, Hamlin. By what authority are you here?" "The orders of the Colonel commanding, sir," respectfully, yet not permitting his glance to leave the woman's face. "You insist then, madam, that you know nothing of the girl's disappearance?" "No!" defiantly, her cheeks red. "Nor of what has become of Connors, or your ranch manager?" She shrugged her shoulders, endeavoring to smile. "The parties mentioned are of very small interest to me." "And Major McDonald," he insisted, utterly ignoring the increasing anger of the officer beside her. "Possibly you were aware of his departure?" "Yes," more deliberately; "he told me of his orders, and bade me good-bye later. So far as Connors is concerned, he was to have the carriage here for us at two o'clock. Is that all, Mr. Sergeant Hamlin?"' "You better make it all," threatened the Captain belligerently, "before I lose my temper at this infernal impertinence." Hamlin surveyed the two calmly, confident that the woman knew more than she would tell, and utterly indifferent as to the other. "Very well," he said quietly, "I will learn what I desire elsewhere. I shall find Miss McDonald, and discover what has actually occurred." "My best wishes, I am sure," and the lady patted the Captain's arm gently. "We are losing this waltz."