n stolen? Why, how--"

"The commission is the least important part of it," answered McVeigh
hopelessly. He was pacing back and forth in decided agitation. "The
commission was forwarded me with instructions to take charge of the
entire division during the temporary absence of the Major General
commanding."

"And you have lost those instructions?" demanded Masterson, who
realized the serious consequences impending.

"Yes," and McVeigh halted in his nervous walk, "I have lost those
instructions. I have lost the entire plan of movement! It has been
stolen from my room--is perhaps now in the hands of the enemy, and I
ignorant of the contents! I had only glanced at them and meant to go
over them thoroughly tonight. They are gone, and it means failure,
court martial, disgrace!"

He had dropped hopelessly on the lower step, his face buried in his
hands; the contrast to the joy, the absolute happiness of an hour ago
was overwhelming. Masterson stood looking at him, thinking fast, and
wondering how much he dared express.

"When did you discover the loss, Colonel?"

"Just now," he answered, rising and commencing again the nervous
pacing. "I had gone to my room with Dr. Delaven to find an old uniform
of mine he had asked to borrow. Then I found the drawer of my desk
open and my papers gone. I said nothing to him of the loss. Any search
to be made must be conducted without publicity."

"Certainly, certainly," agreed Judge Clarkson, "but a search, Kenneth,
my boy? Where could we begin?"

McVeigh shook his head, but Masterson remembered that Delaven was also
an outsider--and Delaven had borrowed a Confederate uniform!

"Colonel," he asked, with a significance he tried ineffectually to
subdue, for all subterfuge was difficult to his straightforward
nature, "may I ask for what purpose that uniform was borrowed?"

The tone was unmistakable. McVeigh turned as if struck.

"Captain Masterson!"

"Colonel, this is no time to stand on ceremony. Some one who was your
guest tonight evidently stole those papers! Most of the guests were
old, tried friends, but there were exceptions. Two are foreigners, and
one belongs to the enemy. It is most natural that the exceptions be
considered first." Clarkson nodded assent to this very logical
deduction and Masterson felt assured of his support. "The borrowing of
the uniform in itself is significant, but at this time is especially
so."

"No, no, no!" and his superior officer waved aside th