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.