But your presence here will be absolutely necessary, as a witness against any of these rascally contractors we can lay our hands on." When the four colonels arrived, after seeing that the troops were housed, Colonel Crofton obtained from them the names and addresses of the various contractors; and, half an hour later, parties of the cavalry regiment in garrison were despatched, under officers, with orders to arrest and bring them into Badajos.

During the meal, Colonel Crofton explained to the four colonels the discovery of the frauds, which naturally excited the greatest indignation among them.

He then requested them and Desmond to accompany him to the stores.

This they did, after sending to the barracks for a party of fifty men for fatigue duty.
The gaps made during Desmond's explorations had been carefully filled up again, but upon fresh openings being made, his reports were fully borne out.

Some hours were spent at the central magazine, and orders given that the other magazines should be opened and examined on the following day.
Desmond did not join in this search, but started early, with Mike, to carry out his own mission.