AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE It was late in the forenoon when the heavily armed guard marched Hamlin across to the commandant's office.

He had been surprised at the delay, but had enjoyed ample opportunity to plan a course of action, and decide how best to meet the questions which would be asked.

He could clear himself without involving her, without even a mention of her presence, and this knowledge left him confident and at ease.
There were half a dozen officers gathered in the small room, the gray-bearded Colonel in command, sitting behind a table, with Major McDonald at his right, and the others wherever they could find standing room.

Hamlin saluted, and stood at attention, his gray eyes on the face of the man who surveyed him across the table.
"Sergeant," the Colonel said rather brusquely, "you came in last night with 'M' troop, did you not ?" "Yes, sir." "Had you ever met Lieutenant Gaskins before ?" "Once; he pulled me out of a bad scrape with a bunch of Indians out on the trail a few months ago." "The same affair I spoke to you about," commented McDonald quietly.
"The attack on the stage." The Colonel nodded, without removing his eyes from the Sergeant's face.
"Yes, I know about that," he said.

"And that was the only occasion of your meeting ?" "Yes, sir." "Well, Sergeant Hamlin, I purpose being perfectly frank with you.
There are two or three matters not easily explained about this affair.
I am satisfied of your innocence; that you were not directly concerned in the shooting of Lieutenant Gaskins.