“No; but she must have been there.”

“So I think; got mixed up in the affair some way, and they have been compelled to carry her off to save themselves.  Do you know why they were after Mac?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, I do; he carried thirty thousand dollars.”

“What?”

“He was acting paymaster.  The money came in from Wallace last evening, and he was ordered to take it to Ripley at once.”

Hamlin drew in his breath quickly in surprise.

“Who knew about that, sir?”

“No one but the Adjutant, and Major McDonald—­not even the orderly.”

The eyes of officer and soldier met.

“Do you suppose he could have told her?” the former asked in sudden suspicion.

“That would be my theory, sir.  But it is useless to speculate.  We have no proof, no means of forcing her to confess.  The only thing for us to do is to trail those fugitives.  I need another man—­a scout—­Wasson, if he can be spared—­and rations for three days.”

The Colonel hesitated an instant, and then rose, placing a hand on Hamlin’s arm.

“I ’ll do it for Miss McDonald, but not for the money,” he said slowly.  “I expect orders every hour for your troop, and Wasson is detailed for special service.  But damn it, I ’ll take the responsibility—­go on, and run those devils down.”

Hamlin turned to the door; then wheeled about.

“You know this man Dupont, Colonel?”

“Only by sight.”

“Any idea where he used to run cattle?”

“Wait a minute until I think.  I heard McDonald telling about him one night at the club, something Mrs. Dupont had let slip, but I did n’t pay much attention at the time.  Seems to me, though, it was down on the Canadian.  No, I have it now—­Buffalo Creek; runs into the Canadian.  Know such a stream?”

“I ’ve heard of it; in west of the North Fork somewhere.”

“You think it was Dupont, then?”

“I have n’t a doubt that he is in the affair, and that the outfit is headed for that section.  I don’t know, sir, where those Indians came from, or how they happened to be up here, but I believe they belong to Black Kettle’s band of Cheyennes.  His bunch is down below the Canadian, is it not, sir?”

“Yes.”

“Dupont must be friendly with them, and this coup has been planned for some time.  Last night was the chance they have been waiting for.  The only mistake in their plans has been the early discovery because of Miss Molly’s disappearance.  They have gone away careless, expecting two or three days’ start, and they will only have a few hours.  We ’ll run them down, with good luck, before they cross the Cimarron.  You have no further instructions, sir?”

“No, nothing, Sergeant.  You ’re an old hand, and know your business, and there is no better scout on the plains than Sam Wasson.  Good-bye, and good luck.”