The Colonel shook his head doubtfully, glancing at the silent adjutant.

“That remains to be proven, Sergeant.  I have, of course, met the lady, and found her pleasant and agreeable as a companion.  Deuced pretty too; hey, Benson?  Why do you say she masquerades as McDonald’s niece?”

“Because her maiden name was Carson and the Major’s sister married a man named Counts.”

“There might have been another marriage.  Surely McDonald must know.”

“Miss Molly says not, Colonel.  He has known nothing of his sister for over twenty years, and accepted this woman on her word.”

“Well, well!  Interesting situation; hey, Benson?  Like to get to the bottom myself.  Damme if it don’t sound like a novel.  However, the thing before us right now is to discover what has become of Miss McDonald.”  He straightened up in his chair, then leaned across the table.  “Captain Kane, make a thorough examination of McDonald’s quarters first.  If the girl is not found there, detail two men to accompany Sergeant Hamlin on a search of the town.”

“Very well, sir; come on, Sergeant.”

“Just a moment—­if we find the trail leads beyond the town are we authorized to continue?”

“Certainly, yes.  Adjutant, write out the order.  Anything more?”

“I should prefer two men of my own troop, sir, mounted.”

“Very well; see to it, Captain.”

The two men walked down past the dark row of officers’ houses, the Sergeant a step to the rear on the narrow cinder path.  McDonald’s quarters were as black as the others, and there was no response from within when Kane rapped at the door.  They tried the rear entrance with the same result—­the place was plainly unoccupied.

“Pick out your men, Hamlin,” the Captain said sternly, “and I ’ll call the stable guard.”

Ten minutes later, fully equipped for field service, the three troopers circled the guard-house and rode rapidly down the dark road toward the yellow lights of the town.  The Sergeant explained briefly the cause of the expedition, and the two troopers, experienced soldiers, asked no unnecessary questions.  Side by side the three men rode silently into the town, and Hamlin swung down from his saddle at the door of the dance hall.  With a word to the guard he crossed the floor to intercept Mrs. Dupont.  The latter regarded his approach with astonishment, her hand on Captain Barrett’s blue sleeve.

“Certainly not,” she replied rather sharply to his first question.  “I am not in charge of Miss McDonald.  She is no doubt amusing herself somewhere; possibly lying down over at the hotel; she complained of a headache earlier in the evening.  Why do you come to me?”

“Yes,” broke in the Captain, “that is what I wish to know, Hamlin.  By what authority are you here?”

“The orders of the Colonel commanding, sir,” respectfully, yet not permitting his glance to leave the woman’s face.  “You insist then, madam, that you know nothing of the girl’s disappearance?”