Now the searchers came in to report that they could find neither a trail nor any sight of dropped bundles of loot. "At daylight, Major," suggested Colonel North to Major Silsbee, "you may be able to send out scouts who, with a better light, may succeed in finding a trail." Hal turned to Lieutenant Hayes, saluting. "I wonder, sir, if it won't be best for me to offer a suggestion to Colonel North?" The regimental commander turned at once. "You may speak, Private Overton." "I was about to inquire, sir," replied Hal, saluting, "if it isn't likely that there may be a good hiding place for thieves among the rocks back of the ledge of which I spoke some time ago." "What makes you think the thieves may be there, Overton?" "The thought has just struck me, sir, that Branders was probably lurking about in the vicinity of a cave or other place of concealment, on the day that he threw the stone at us. It struck me, sir, that a squad of men might search that locality with the chance of finding the rest of Branders's associates and also of recovering much of the stuff that has been stolen from quarters on this post." "That's a bright suggestion, worth working upon. Cortland, will you take a detachment of men and hasten out to that locality? Post men all around while it is still dark, and then, with a few men, plunge right through that neighborhood. Overton and Terry will go with you as guides, so that you may strike the exact spot without loss of time." Captain Cortland dispatched a soldier to go at once to Sergeant Hupner's squad room, with orders to turn out the men in that room at once and under arms, with fifty rounds of ammunition per man. This done, Captain Cortland hastened to his own quarters, soon returning with his sword hanging at his belt and his revolver in its holster. "While you are gone, Cortland," said Colonel North, "Silsbee and I will make whatever other investigations we can think of." In an almost incredibly short space of time Sergeant Hupner's squad was ready, and turned into officers' row. "Overton and Terry, you will walk ahead of the detachment, and I will go with you," Captain Cortland announced. "Sergeant Hupner, march your detachment in column of twos, twenty paces to the rear of the guides. Forward!" CHAPTER XXIII THE STIRRING GAME AT DAWN "THERE is the ledge, sir, right in yonder," announced Hal, peering through the darkness. A wind was coming up and the stars had faded. It was in the darkest hour before dawn. Captain Cortland stepped back, holding out one hand as a signal. Sergeant Hupner saw, and halted his detachment, marching almost without a sound. "Remain here, guides, with the detachment," directed the company commander, in a whisper. "Sergeant Hupner, you and I will go forward and reconnoitre." As soon as the officer and the non-commissioned officer had departed Private Bill Hooper growled out: "What kind of a fool chase is this you've got us into, Overton?"