"Fearful, sir!" replied Noll half dryly. "Yet I've always supposed it part of a soldier's duty to be killed at need." "In the discharge of military duties, yes," agreed Lieutenant Prescott. "But this is not military duty in any sense. If you go into it you must understand that you are acting voluntarily, to aid the civil authorities of this state and county." "May I ask a question, sir?"--from Hal. "Certainly," replied the young officer. "You are proposing to risk your life, aren't you, sir?" "Yes." "Then we'll take the same risk, sir. We don't need to ask anything more. Lead us where you wish, and into what you please, sir." "Thank you, men," acknowledged Lieutenant Prescott heartily. Then, turning to the stranger, he added: "I told you I didn't think I was mistaken in these men." "You certainly are not," agreed the stranger. "Now, for the next step, I must wire the regimental commander, Colonel North, asking his permission that these men and myself engage in the enterprise. I anticipate the colonel's consent. Therefore, as soon as I have sent the telegram, sir, you may lead us to the house of Coates." Lieutenant Prescott then left the room. "I suppose you boys wonder who I am?" smiled the stranger. "Thank you, sir," Hal replied quietly. "When the lieutenant wants us to know he'll tell us. No offense intended, sir." "Nor any taken," replied the stranger, with a laugh. "You regulars surely do go along, just sticking to orders, and not caring for anything outside of orders." Second Lieutenant Prescott soon returned to the room. "I've sent my wire, Mr. Dent. Now we are at your disposal. Lead the way, sir." As the soldier boys followed their officer, a dozen feet to the rear, from the hotel, they certainly felt far more curiosity than they would have admitted to any one else. CHAPTER XIII THE APPOINTMENT WITH SUPREME DANGER "You think you can manage it?" asked Deputy Sheriff Coates anxiously, after a long talk by the side of the sick bed. "I am sure we can," nodded Lieutenant Richard Prescott cheerily. "I hate to ask such favor of you," went on Coates in a tone of real regret. "But Jack Blick simply has to be arrested, and there doesn't seem any other way." "Don't worry any more about it, Mr. Coates," urged the young lieutenant. It seemed odd to see one as young as Prescott using this soothing tone to the weather-tanned, middle-aged peace officer who, for a score of years, had been known as a terror to evil-doers. But Coates was flat on his back now, and there was a man to be captured who was known as one of the most dangerous men in the country. During the conversation Hal and Noll had remained seated at some distance from the bed. The soldier boys had listened, but had said nothing. Nor had Dent, who turned out to be the local postmaster, said much, either.