blow. In truth he had.

"I forgot," he assented wretchedly. "And, oh, this is hard, sir. I am
wholly innocent of the charge, and yet of course you have no right to
take my mere word. This, in the face of a desperate expedition that I
want to join more than I ever wanted anything in my life as a soldier!"

CHAPTER XXII

SERGEANT KELLY'S FIT OF REMEMBERING

Holmes was back with the speed of the wind. Even before he reached the
camp he waved his cap, shouting:

"It's all right."

"And I'm going with you," Noll added.

"You, too, Overton?" demanded Lieutenant Greg Holmes.

"I can't," groaned Hal Overton.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, old chap," gasped Holmes, overcome with the
thought of the humiliation he had needlessly caused this gallant young
brother officer.

"I'm under charges, you know," remarked Hal, with a wan smile.

"Confound that Ruggles!" broke impetuously from Holmes's lips. "I'd
almost like to burn him at a stake."

"Yes; it's tough," cried Prescott, "to be deprived of the help of one
of the bravest, quickest-witted men in the United States Army!"

This heart-felt praise served as some balm to Hal's wounded,
grief-stricken spirits. He would have given anything he possessed to
join this long dash to save, if possible, two imperiled American girls.

"And there are other American women there to-night," added Hal brokenly.

None of the time was lost in talk, however, for the young officers who
were to go were now busy looking to their weapons and ammunition, their
canteens of water and other needed supplies.

It was unavoidable that the news should have leaked out among the
soldiers now in camp.

The four young officers started soon, each giving Hal a silent,
soul-felt grip of the hand before starting.

"Now, why the dickens ain't Lieutenant Overton going?" demanded Sergeant
Kelly in wonder.

"Don't you know?" demanded a corporal. "Lieutenant Overton is in camp,
under charges."

"What are ye talking about, man?" demanded Kelly incredulously.

"Oh, it's the truth," insisted the corporal. "It's a frame-up, I am
certain, but the prisoner, Ruggles, claimed that he gave the lieutenant
five thousand dollars last night to fix it to let him, Ruggles, escape
the consequences of smuggling arms over the border."

"What a silly lie!" sputtered Sergeant Kelly. "And did your captain
believe a fool's fairy-tale like that?"

"He wouldn't have," replied the corporal, "only the lieutenant was
searc