"I don't know," said Blake, more seriously, and with a tone of concern. "I like Rayner, and have found most of those fellows thorough gentlemen and good friends. This will test the question thoroughly. I believe most of them, except of course Rayner, would do the same were they in my place. At all events, I mean to see." "What are you going to do, Gregg?" asked "the mole," wheeling suddenly on his brother troop-commander. "I don't know," said Gregg, doubtfully. "I think I'll ask the colonel." "What do you suppose _he_ means to do?" "I don't know again; but I'll bet we all know as soon as he makes up his mind; and he is making up his mind now,--or he's made it up, for there goes Mr. Hayne, and here comes the orderly. Something's up already." Every head was turned to the door-way as the orderly's step was heard in the outer hall, and every voice stilled to hear the message, it was so unusual for the commanding officer to send for one of his subordinates after the morning meeting. The soldier tapped at the panel, and at the prompt "Come in" pushed it partly open and stood with one white-gloved hand resting on the knob, the other raised to his cap-visor in salute. "Lieutenant Blake?" he asked, as he glanced around. "What is it?" asked Blake, stepping quickly from the window. "The commanding officer's compliments, sir, and could he see the lieutenant one minute before the court meets?" "Coming at once," said Blake, as he pushed his way through the chairs, and the orderly faced about and disappeared. "I'll bet it's about Hayne," was the apparently unanimous sentiment as the cavalry party broke up and scattered for the morning's duties. Some waited purposely to hear. The adjutant alone stood in the colonel's presence as Blake knocked and entered. All others had gone. There was a moment's hesitation, and the colonel paused and looked his man over before he spoke: "You will excuse my sending for you, Mr. Blake, when I tell you that it is a matter that has to be decided at once. In this case you will consider, too, that I want you to say yes or no exactly as you would to a comrade of your own grade. If you were asked to meet Mr. Hayne at any other house in the garrison than mine, would you desire to accept? You are aware of all the circumstances, the adjutant tells me." "I am, sir, and have just announced my intention of calling upon him." "Then will you dine with us this evening to meet Mr. Hayne?" "I will do so with pleasure, sir." * * * * * It could hardly have been an hour afterwards when Mrs. Rayner entered the library in her cosey home and found Miss Travers entertaining herself with a book. "Have you written to Mr. Van Antwerp this morning?" she asked. "I thought that was what you came here for." "I did mean to, but Mrs. Waldron has been here, and I was interrupted."