I trusted that she would secure the delay, indefinite delay. When the door was opened for her to leave I saw a sentinel on guard in the hall, and became convinced that the colonel was taking very few chances with me. CHAPTER V. A CHANGE OF SITUATIONS. Crothers as usual brought me my meals, and in that respect I was well treated. The night passed without event, and the next morning I was allowed to take a walk around the fort between Crothers and another soldier, but I saw nothing of either the colonel or his daughter. I tried to pump Crothers, but he was proof against my most skilful questions, and when I returned to my room I could boast no increase of knowledge. Yet I was not much depressed. I comforted myself with the old reflection that it was the year of peace 1896, and I would not become really alarmed until I stood up before a file of the colonel's men and looked into the muzzles of their rifles. I received a visit the next morning from the colonel himself. His manner was still of a piece with that he had shown on the return march from the mountains, marked by a certain haughtiness and reserve differing much from the fiery temperament characteristic of him. "Well, am I to be shot to-day, colonel?" I asked, and I think I asked it cheerfully, for, mark you, I had returned to my old state of incredulity. "Not to-day," he said. "I have decided to postpone it until I find out where the treason in my garrison lies. You can see that your death might be in the way of my investigation." I could see it with ease, and I was glad that it was so. He asked me a lot of questions which he intended to be adroit, but I saw their drift clearly enough, and led him further astray. When he was through he knew less than ever about my rescuer, and I let him think it was one of his men. "I shall discover the man by to-morrow," he said, with a show of confidence which was but a show, "and his fate shall be severe enough to put a stop to any leanings others may have the same way." Three days more passed in this manner. I was permitted to take two walks daily around the fort in the company of Crothers and another man, but, as before, I could obtain no information from them, and I remained in ignorance of the colonel's progress or lack of progress with his secret service. On the fourth day my door was abruptly thrown open, and Grace Hetherill entered. Her face showed great excitement. The door was not closed behind her, but stood wide open, and I noticed that no sentry was in the hall. I was convinced that something of importance had happened. "Mr. West," she said, "we need your help." "My help," I exclaimed, involuntarily. "How can I, who need it so much myself, give anybody help?" "But you can," she cried. "There is trouble in Fort Defiance." Then, her first flush of excitement over, she told me the story calmly. She was not long in the telling.