d, now leaned
over to whisper to Captain Foster:

"Has the young man had chance to give you a word or two of explanation
yet?"

"What young man?" demanded Captain Foster, turning to look at Ruggles.

"Why, the officer who marched us over here."

"Lieutenant Overton?"

"Certainly. Has he told you anything? I mean about how this whole
business is to be fixed so as to keep me out of it altogether?"

"What on earth are you talking about?" demanded Captain Foster, who was
now wondering whether his ears had played him a trick.

"Why, it's all settled," murmured Ruggles.

"I turned the money over to your chap, Overton, and he told me it would
be all fixed. I'm not to be held or prosecuted in this matter. The
trouble is all to fall on the Mexicans."

"I wish I knew what you were talking about," cried Captain Foster.

"Why, it's plain enough, Captain. I paid the money over to your
lieutenant, and he and you were to fix it so I could slide out of the
matter and keep my name out, too. I paid Overton the five thousand
dollars, which he said would be enough for you both and that it would be
all right."

"Mr. Overton!" called Captain Foster gasping.

But Hal did not have to be summoned. He had heard Ruggles's last
statement from the doorway of the officers' tent.

"Here I am, sir," cried Lieutenant Hal, coming forward, "and I overheard
that lying hound! What this fellow, Ruggles, is telling you, Captain, is
wholly false."

"I know it, Overton, I know it," cried Captain Foster, who had sprung to
his feet.

"Am I to be flimflammed, after paying the money in good faith?" demanded
Ruggles. "See here, Captain, I drew twenty thousand dollars, in twenty
bills, at the bank this afternoon. That I can easily prove, of course.
Nor can any one on earth prove that I have spent any of that money,
for, as it happens, I had the cashier at the bank take the numbers of
the thousand-dollar bills. In this envelope, sir, you will find fifteen
of the bills left. The numbers of the missing bills can be proved, and
the missing bills you will find in the possession of your lieutenant."

"It's a cowardly lie!" blazed thunderstruck Hal, leaping forward. But
Captain Foster pushed him gently back.

"I haven't a doubt that it's a lie, Overton, my boy," replied Foster.
"Yet don't get too excited, or try to use violence on your accuser.
Remember that I am simply bound to hear any complaint that may be
preferred against any officer in my comman