They were riding along out of sight of the camp, talking cheerfully and feeling perfectly safe, when they were brought to a sudden stop by a command, "Halt!" given in a gruff tone. They stared in amazement when they saw that they were surrounded by a detachment of soldiers, and that the command had been given by a sergeant. A dozen carbines were leveled at them. "What's the meaning of this?" asked Ted, with a smile. "Orders for your arrest," answered the sergeant gruffly. "Disarm the man." Several soldiers stepped to Ted's side, and the one who attempted to take Ted's rifle from its boot on the saddle received a kick on the chest that sent him sprawling on his back. But as the kick was delivered, and before he could do anything further in his defense, Ted was struck a ringing blow on the head with the butt of a carbine, and was dragged from the saddle. As he went down he heard a shout of alarm. "Don't shoot!" he heard the sergeant cry. "Let her go. We don't want her, anyway." Then Ted knew that Stella had escaped, to carry the news back to the boys, and to bring assistance. "I wish the Indian girl had been along," the sergeant said to one of the men. "We'd have all we wanted, then." "Oh, we'll get her later," was the reply. Ted was hoisted to his feet in no gentle manner, and then he discovered that his arms had been bound. Sitting on her pony was Hallie Croffut, pale but calm, regarding the scene with an expression of contempt. "What is the meaning of this, Brown?" she asked, addressing the sergeant "Orders from a s'perior officer, miss," said the sergeant apologetically, saluting respectfully. "Well, you and your superior officer will be sorry for this day's work when the colonel hears of it," was all she said. The sergeant saluted again, and ordered the men to march. Ted was lifted into his saddle, and, in the center of the detachment, was marched away. They rode thus for several miles, when, in the gathering dusk, Ted saw ahead of him a small cabin. In a few moments they were in front of it, and Ted and Hallie were assisted to the ground and bade to enter. In the center of the room, seated at a table, was Lieutenant Barrows, who scowled at Ted, but hadn't the courage, apparently, to look at his fiancee. Hallie Croffut did not address him, but he felt the glance of scorn she gave him, for he winced under it. "For what am I arrested?" asked Ted coolly. "You will discover when your trial comes," was the cold reply. "And why have you dared to detain me?" asked Hallie. "Your father's orders, Miss Croffut," he said almost inaudibly. "I believe that you are lying. If you are, Heaven help you, for there is not a decent man in all the army who will not hound you to disgrace. To think that you would countenance this outrage against your colonel's daughter is almost past belief. But now I know you for what you are, you cur."