ieutenant Ennis.

"Rafferty, doubtless, to the extent of bribing or wheedling him out of
Bob's new cits----"

"But those were _not_ mine that Fitzroy had!" burst in Lanier.

"Of course not. He's left you a worn suit in place of the new. Where'd
he steal that one, I wonder? There isn't another officer of your size
and build at the post. But, here, I've got to go back and report, and my
report will be in these words: 'Mr. Lanier has been robbed, too,'" and
Barker made for the stairs.

"One moment," called Ennis. "You said Bob wasn't the only man this
fellow had tricked. Do you mean----" he paused suggestively.

"I mean, yes--that there's more than one man, and there's at least one
poor girl in the garrison to mourn that fellow's loss, and be d---- to
him!" and with that Barker was gone.

Button listened to his adjutant's report with something almost like a
sneer. Stannard and Sumter heard it with grave faces, but without a
word. Snaffle, who had drifted in, sniggered with obvious triumph.

"Gentlemen," said the colonel, "you have not heard the half of what I
know, and every day brings something new. This comes in from Laramie
to-day, brought with the mail that lay over at the Chugwater during the
storm. Read that, Stannard." And Stannard took the paper and glanced
over it, blinked his eyes, sniffed, and said: "I've heard about that
case, and I'll take Lanier's story any day against--that fellow's
affidavit."

"Major Stannard," said Button severely, "you are speaking contemptuously
of your superior officer."

"Colonel Button," answered Stannard, with high held head, but with firm
hand on his temper, "I am speaking contemptuously of my superior
officer's _informant_, not of the commanding officer of Fort Laramie. If
you care to look you will see that he quotes, not asserts, that 'this
money was advanced to Mr. Lowndes on Mr. Lanier's statement that the
young man was summoned home by the serious illness of his mother, and
that he, Mr. Lanier, would be responsible for the transaction. Mr.
Lowndes has never repaid it, and Mr. Lanier when appealed to four weeks
since not only refused to make it good, but abused and cursed me for
simply asking for what was my own.' Now, sir," concluded Stannard, "I
haven't sought to learn the facts in the case, but I'll bet ten dollars
to ten cents you have yet to hear them."

"Very good, gentlemen," answered Button, rising in obvious chagrin. "It
is quite evident in your opinion Mr.