"Of course not, Mr. Ross. You are quite ready to treat a man as a thief, but can't believe he'll do another thing that is disreputable. That is characteristic of your style of reasoning," said Buxton, with biting sarcasm. "You can't wither me with contempt, Captain Buxton. I have a right to my opinion, and I have known Mr. Hayne for years, and if I _did_ believe him guilty of one crime five years ago I'm not so ready to believe him guilty of another now. This isn't--isn't like Hayne." "No, of course not, as I said before. Now, will you tell me, Mr. Ross, just why Mr. Hayne chose that ramshackle old shanty out there on the prairie, all by himself, unless it was to be where he could have his chosen companions with him at night and no one be the wiser?" "I don't pretend to fathom his motives, sir; but I don't believe it was for any such purpose as you seem to think." "In other words, you think I'm circulating baseless scandal, do you?" "I have said nothing of the kind; and I protest against your putting words into my mouth I never used." "You intimated as much, anyhow, and you plainly don't believe it." "Well, I don't believe--that is, I don't see how it could happen." "Couldn't the woman drive out from town after dark, send the carriage back, and have it call for her again in the morning?" asked Buxton. "Possibly. Still, it isn't a proved fact that a woman spent the night at Hayne's, even if a carriage was seen coming out. You've got hold of some Sudsville gossip, probably," replied Ross. "I have, have I? By God, sir, I'll teach you better manners before we get through with this question. Do you know who saw the carriage, and who saw the woman, both at Hayne's quarters?" "Certainly I don't! What I don't understand is how you should have been made the recipient of the story." "Mr. Ross, just govern your tongue, sir, and remember you are speaking to your superior officer, and don't venture to treat my statements with disrespect hereafter. _I saw it myself!_" "_You!_" gulped Ross, while amaze and incredulity shot across his startled face. "You!" exclaimed others of the group, in evident astonishment and dismay. Rayner alone looked unchanged. It was no news to him, while to every other man in the party it was a shock. Up to that instant the prevailing belief had been, with Ross, that Buxton had found some garrison gossip and was building an edifice thereon. His positive statement, however, was too much for the most incredulous. "Now what have you to say?" he asked, in rude triumph. There was no answer for a moment; then Ross spoke: "Of course, Captain Buxton, I withdraw any expression of doubt. It never occurred to me that you could have seen it. May I ask when and how?" "The last time I was officer of the day, sir; and Captain Rayner is my witness as to the time. Others, whom I need not mention, saw it with me. There is no mistake, sir. The woman was there." And Buxton stood enjoying the effect.