Ross looked white and dazed. He turned slowly away, hesitated, looked back, then exclaimed,-- "You are sure it was--it was not some one that had a right to be there?" "How could it be?" said Buxton, gruffly. "You know he has not an acquaintance in town, or here, who could be with him there at night." "Does the commanding officer know of it?" asked Mr. Royce, after a moment's silence. "_I_ am the commanding officer, Mr. Royce," said Buxton, with majestic dignity,--"at least I will be after twelve o'clock; and you may depend upon it, gentlemen, this thing will not occur while I am in command without its receiving the exact treatment it deserves. Remember, now, not a word of this to anybody. You are as much interested as I am in bringing to justice a man who will disgrace his uniform and his regiment and insult every lady in the garrison by such an act. This sort of thing of course will run him out of the service for good and all. We simply have to be sure of our ground and make the evidence conclusive. Leave that to me the next time it happens. I repeat, say nothing of this to any one." But Rayner had already told his wife. Just as Major Waldron was driving off to the station that bright April afternoon and his carriage was whirling through the east gate, the driver caught sight of Lieutenant Hayne running up Prairie Avenue, waving his hand and shouting to him. He reined in his spirited bays with some difficulty, and Hayne finally caught up with them. "What is it, Hayne?" asked Waldron, with kindly interest, leaning out of his carriage. "They will be back to-night, sir. Here is a telegram that has just reached me." "I can't tell you how sorry I am not to be here to welcome them; but Mrs. Waldron will be delighted, and she will come to call the moment you let her know. Keep them till I get back, if you possibly can." "Ay, ay, sir. Good-by." "Good-by, Hayne. God bless you, and--good luck!"