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, then I grasped Dupont's purpose.