lied Jack, quietly.

"Sit down, and let us hear what you've learned."

Jack dropped to the chair, but Lieutenant Ridder, when he heard the news,
was so excited that no chair could hold him.

"Jove! and just our luck!" gasped the Army officer. "No policeman
in sight! Now, if you three boys had kept together--"

"But, you see, when I dropped from the automobile, I wasn't sure it was
Millard. I had had only a glance, and his face was away from me."

"If you see that wretch again, jump on him wherever he is."

"I could have done it, this last time," Benson nodded. "Yet I had an
idea that, if I followed him, he might lead me to the place where he
kept his maps and his other stolen information. And he did, I guess,"
added Jack, with a somewhat disappointed smile.

"Wait a moment. I'll try to get Major Woodruff over the wire," muttered
Lieutenant Ridder. "He may have some orders for us."

Major Woodruff was at his home. He heard the message and sent his
orders crisply.

"The major thinks we had better keep this matter from the police, yet,
and do our best to find Millard, either in his own garments, or behind
that gray dress and veil," announced the Army lieutenant.

"Then I wish we had the other boys here," muttered Jack, wistfully.

At that moment the 'phone bell rang. It was Hal, reporting, and
inquiring whether any word had come from his chum.

"Mr. Benson is here, and I think you'll do well to get here as quickly
as you can," replied Ridder.

"Is there any word--" began Hal Hastings.

Ting-ling-ling! The 'phone bell rang, cutting off Hal. The latter had
received his orders, and his next concern was to obey them. That was
lesson number one in brisk Army discipline.

Hal was on hand in five minutes. While Jack was recounting to him the
adventure with Millard, Eph Somers came in. He stood in the background,
listening, his jaw gradually dropping until his mouth was wide open.

"You heard how Benson ran into the fellow?" asked Lieutenant Ridder,
turning to Somers.

"Yes," muttered Eph, disgustedly, "and I guess I have been enjoying
the fool's part of the adventure!"

"How so?" demanded the Army officer quickly.

"I met that same woman, I'll bet a cookie," growled Eph,
"and--and--I--"

"Well, sir?" demanded Lieutenant Ridder, briskly.

"I carried that bag for _her_--carried it nearly two blocks!"

"What's that?" cried Jack Benson, leaping up. "How--"

"No; I don't believe, on second t