Lieutenant Carrol come in?" came from Benson.

"Not that I know of; reckon not," answered the guard.

"Worse and worse!" groaned the old scout. "Who is in command here?"

"Captain Lee. But he's about half sick, too."

"It's a trick of the enemy!" cried Darry.

"A trick?" queried the guard with interest.

"Yes, a trick," put in Joe. "Benson, hadn't they better sound the
alarm?"

"Yes, and I'll interview Captain Lee."

No more was said, and, while the sentinel called the corporal of the
guard, the old scout hurried off to find the captain in command. With
him went Joe and Darry. Joe's heart was like a lump of lead, for he was
much concerned over the non-appearance of his brother. Had the captain
met the Indians and been killed or taken prisoner?

Captain Lee was in a sound sleep, but quickly roused up when told that
an important message awaited him. He met the party in one of the living
rooms of the fort. His head was tied up in a wet towel, and his eyes
showed that he was suffering.

"This is certainly a deep-laid plot," he said, when all had told their
story. "The desperadoes and Indians intend to combine in an attack on
the fort. Mose is undoubtedly that wily old half-breed who is still
alive and who is very thick with White Ox. But I didn't know he could
write."

"But what about this money at the fort?" asked Joe.

"The money is here, in a chest that is hidden away. It amounts to forty
thousand dollars in gold, and is the property of the Nevell Mining
Company. It was left for safe-keeping until Mr. Nevell could have it
transported to Denver. You see, Nevell is a brother-in-law to Colonel
Fairfield."

"The colonel must be drugged," said Benson. "That's the reason he acts
so queerly."

"I suppose so, and that is what has affected me, I presume," answered
Captain Lee. "Last night my head ached as if it would split open. We
must tell the surgeon of this. Perhaps he can then do something to
relieve Colonel Fairfield."

The captain lost no time in issuing the necessary orders, and in a few
minutes the whole place was in alarm and the soldiers were on the watch
for the first appearance of the Indians.

"My poor husband drugged!" cried Mrs. Fairfield, when she heard the
news. "What villains those Indians and desperadoes are! Doctor, can you
do nothing?"

"I think I can, madam," answered the surgeon. "Much depends upon what
drugs were administered and how much the colonel has taken. Rest assured
I will