Major Waldron of course had to go home and make his preparations. Mr. Hayne, therefore, had brief opportunity to speak with him. It was seen, however, that they had a short talk together on the major's piazza, and that when they parted the major shook him warmly and cordially by the hand. Rayner, Buxton, Ross, and some juniors happened to be coming down along the walk at the moment, and, seeing them, as though with pointed meaning the major called out, so that all could hear,-- "By the way, Hayne, I wish you would drop in occasionally while I'm gone and take Mrs. Waldron out for a walk or drive: my horses are always at your service. And--a--I'll write to you about that matter the moment I've had a chance to talk with the colonel,--to-morrow, probably." And Hayne touched his cap in parting salute, and went blithely off with brightened eye and rising color. Buxton glowered after him a moment, and conversation suddenly ceased in their party. Finally he blurted out,-- "Strikes me your major might do a good deal better by himself and his regiment by standing up for its _morale_ and discipline than by openly flaunting his favoritism for convicts in our faces. If I were in your regiment I'd cut _him_." "You wouldn't have to," muttered one of the group to his neighbor: "the cut would have been on the other side long ago." And the speaker was Buxton's own subaltern. Rayner said nothing. His eyes were troubled and anxious, and he looked after Hayne with an expression far more wearied than vindictive. "The major is fond of music, captain," said Mr. Ross, with mischievous intent. "He hasn't been to the club since the night you sang 'Eileen Alanna.' That was about the time Hayne's piano came." "Yes," put in Foster, "Mrs. Waldron says he goes and owls Hayne now night after night just to hear him play." "It would be well for him, then, if he kept a better guard on Mr. Hayne's _other_ visitors," said Buxton, with a black scowl. "I don't know how you gentlemen in the Riflers look upon such matters, but in the ----th the man who dared to introduce a woman of the town into his quarters would be kicked out in short order." "You don't mean to say that anybody accuses Hayne of that, do you?" asked Ross, in amaze. "I do,--_just_ that. Only, I say this to you, it has but just come to light, and only one or two know it. To prove it positively he's got to be allowed more rope; for he got her out of the way last time before we could clinch the matter. If he suspects it is known he won't repeat it; if kept to ourselves he will probably try it again,--and be caught. Now I charge you all to regard this as confidential." "But, Captain Buxton," said Ross, "this is so serious a matter that I don't like to believe it. Who can prove such a story?"