e less effective. No! Sumter thought Mrs. Sumter
would need no help, yet he was _so_ much obliged to the several who
suggested going up just to see if they couldn't "do something." Captain
Sumter was a devoted husband and father, a capital officer, and a
gentleman to the core, but the captain could be just a trifle distant at
times, and this was one of them.

Another house was virtually closed to question. To the disappointment of
many and the disapprobation of a few, Bob Lanier had closeted himself
with his classmate and most intimate friend "Dad" Ennis; then, after a
brief colloquy with Barker, the adjutant, had caused a big card to be
tacked on his door whereon was crayoned in bold black letters "BUSY."
But at quarter past twelve the assistant surgeon, Doctor Schuchardt,
called, as was known, for the second time, and entered without ceremony.
When the officer-of-the-day came tramping along the boardwalk at 12.30,
and turned in at the gate, he struck the panel with the hilt of his
sabre, by way of hint that his call was official and not to be denied.
Ennis, therefore, came to the door, but came with gloomy brow.

"I am ordered by Colonel Button to ask certain questions of Lieutenant
Lanier," said the official from the depths of his fur cap.

"How's that, Doc?" called Ennis, over his massive shoulder. "Can your
patient see the officer-of-the-day?"

"Not yet, with my consent," came the stout answer.

"Shout your questions, captain," sang out the patient, with much too
little humility of manner, yet Lanier knew Curbit well and knew his
mission to be unwelcome.

Therefore, in Captain Curbit's most official tones, _ab imo pectore_,
came question the first:

"Is Trooper Rawdon in hiding anywhere about your quarters?"

To which, truculently, came response in Lanier's unmistakable voice:

"He is not, if _I_ know it."

"Do you know or suspect where he is?"

"Neither. And there is no reason why I should."

"Have you seen him--to-night?"

An instant's pause; then, "I don't know whether I have or not."

"You don't _know_?" exclaimed Curbit, puzzled and beginning to bristle.

"I don't _know_," repeated Lanier, positive and beginning to rejoice.

"Suppose the colonel tells me to explain that," began Curbit, but Doctor
Schuchardt set his foot down summarily.

"Here," said he, "this thing's got to stop;" and he came to the door in
his shirt sleeves, leaning half way out, with one hand behind him.
"Lanier's in a hi