t his table. To all questions as to
where he had been and what was the matter with the colonel he replied,
with more than usual asperity of manner,--the asperity engendered of
some years of having to answer the host of questions propounded by
vacant minds at his own busiest hour of the day,--that the colonel would
tell them all about it himself; _he_ had no time for a word. The evident
manner of suppressed excitement, however, was something few failed to
note; and every man in the room felt certain that when the colonel came
there would be a revelation. It was with something bordering on
indignation, therefore, that the assemblage heard the words that
intimated to them that all might retire. The colonel had come in very
quietly, received the report of the officer of the day, relieved him,
and dismissed the new officer of the day with the brief formula, "Usual
orders, sir," then glanced quickly around the silent circle of grave,
bearded or boyish faces. His eyes rested for an instant with something
like shock and trouble upon one face, pale, haggard, with almost
bloodless lips, and yet full of fierce determination,--a face that
haunted him long afterwards, it was so full of agony, of suspense,
almost of pleading,--the face of Captain Rayner.

Then, dispensing with the customary talk, he quietly spoke the
disappointing words,--

"I am somewhat late this morning, gentlemen, and several matters will
occupy my attention: so I will not detain you further."

The crowd seemed to find their feet very slowly. There was visible
disinclination to go. Every man in some inexplicable way appeared to
know that there was a new mystery hanging over the garrison, and that
the colonel held the key. Every man felt that Billings had given him the
right to expect to be told all about it when the colonel came. Some
looked reproachfully at Billings, as though to remind him of their
expectations: Stannard, his old stand-by, passed him with a gruff
"Thought you said the colonel had something to tell us," and went out
with an air of injured and defrauded dignity. Rayner arose, and seemed
to be making preparations to depart with the others, and some of the
number, connecting him unerringly with the prevailing sensation,
appeared to hold back and wait for him to precede them and so secure to
themselves the satisfaction of knowing that, if it was a matter
connected with Rayner, they "had him along" and nothing could take place
without their hearin