knew how close the earth was, and there was no sign of any one about.
I clambered over the railing, let myself down as far as I could, and
dropped. The slight fall did not even jar me, yet I was none too soon.
As I crouched there in the darkness, she flung open the curtains, and
looked out on to the vacant balcony. I saw the flash of light, and
heard her laugh--it was not pleasant laughter, for she was disappointed
not to find me there. After the curtains fell again I could no longer
hear your voices, and my sole desire was to get back into the hotel
unobserved. I was not afraid, only I dreaded to meet any one who might
recognize me."

She paused in her recital, as though to recall more clearly the exact
facts, the two riding forward, Hamlin leaning over toward her,
occasionally glancing watchfully behind.

"The guests were already beginning to straggle back to the dance hall
from supper, and I waited in the shadow of the building for an
opportunity to slip into the hotel unobserved. While I hid there a
cavalry soldier from the fort rode up, swung down from his saddle, and
ran up the steps. I heard him ask for Major McDonald. Almost
immediately he came out again, and I passed him on the porch. Just
inside the door I met my father. He was leaving the hotel with Dupont,
and the latter swore savagely when I caught my father's arm, asking
what message the orderly had brought. He answered strangely, saying he
had received orders to go at once to Ripley on the stage; that he might
be gone several days. There was nothing about all that to startle a
soldier's daughter, but Dupont kept his hand on my father's arm, urging
him to hurry. The actions of the man aroused my suspicions. I knew my
father was acting paymaster, and I could perceive the outlines of a
leather bag bulging beneath his overcoat. If this contained money,