man and Connors had disappeared. It _was_ a signal
then, instantly understood and obeyed.

The Sergeant had scarcely grasped this fact when his attention was
diverted by the appearance of Miss McDonald. She was dancing with a
civilian, an immaculately dressed individual with ruddy, boyish face.
His intense admiration of his partner was plainly evident, and the
girl, simply dressed in white, her cheeks flushed, her dark eyes bright
with enjoyment, set Hamlin's cool nerves throbbing. He could not
resist gazing at her, and, as their eyes met, she bowed, the full red
lips parting in a smile of recognition. There was no reservation, no
restraint in that quick greeting, as she whirled by; he could not fail
to comprehend its full significance--she had not forgotten, had no
desire to forget. What he imagined he read in her face swept all else
from his mind instantly, and, with eager eyes, he followed her slight,
girlish figure as they circled the hall. The music ceased, and he
still watched as the lad led her to a seat, himself sinking into a
chair beside her. Then the passing out of several men, who desired
return checks, claimed his attention. When the last of these had
disappeared, he glanced again in her direction. She was alone, and her
young partner was walking toward him across the deserted floor. The
lad came to the door, which by now contained few loiterers, and stood
there a moment gazing out into the street.

"Are you Sergeant Hamlin?" he asked quietly.

"Yes."

"Miss McDonald requested me to hand you this note unobserved. I have
no knowledge of its contents."

Hamlin felt the flutter of the paper in his palm, and stood silent,
clinging to it, as the other carelessly recrossed the room. She was
looking toward him, but he made no motion to unfold the missive, until
his eyes, searching the chairs, had located Mrs. Dupont. The very
secret of delivery made him cautious, made him suspect it had to do
with that woman. She was beside the band-stand, still conversing with
the Major, apparently oblivious to any other presence, her face turned
aside. Assured of this, he opened the paper, and glanced at the few
hastily scribbled lines.

"I trust you, and you must believe I do not do this without cause.
During the intermission be in the hotel parlor."

CHAPTER XIX

A FULL CONFESSION

There were two more dances scheduled on the program. The last of these
had begun before the infantry sergeant re