THE DEAD BODY
That both McDonald and his daughter were involved in this strange
puzzle was already clear. The disappearance of the one was as
mysterious as that of the other. Whether the original conspiracy had
centred about the Major, and Miss Molly had merely been drawn into the
net through accident, or whether both were destined as victims from the
first, could not be determined by theory. Indeed the Sergeant could
evolve no theory, could discover no purpose in the outrage. Convinced
that Dupont and his wife were the moving spirits, he yet possessed no
satisfactory reason for charging them with the crime, for which there
was no apparent object.
Nothing remained to be done but search the town, a blind search in the
hope of uncovering some trail. That crime had been committed--either
murder or abduction--was evident; the two had not dropped thus suddenly
out of sight without cause. Nor did it seem possible they could have
been whisked away without leaving some trace behind. The town was
accustomed to murder and sudden death; the echo of a revolver shot
would create no panic, awaken no alarm, and yet the place was small,
and there was little likelihood that any deed of violence would pass
long unnoticed. With a few words of instruction, and hasty
descriptions of both Dupont and Connors, Hamlin sent his men down the
straggling street to drag out the occupants of shack and tent, riding
himself to the blazing front of the "Poodle Dog."
Late as the hour was, the saloon and the gambling rooms above were all
crowded. Hamlin plunged into the mass of men, pressing passage back
and forth, his eyes searching the faces, while he eagerly questioned
those with whom he had any acquaintance. Few among these could recall
to mind either "Reb" or his boon companion, and even those who did
retained no recollection of having seen the two lately. The bartenders
asserted that neither man had been there that night, and the dealers
above were equally positive. The city marshal, encountered outside,
remembered Dupont, and had seen him at the hotel three hours before,
but was positive the fellow had not been on the streets since. Connors
he did not know, but if the man was Major McDonald's driver, then he
was missing all right, for Captain Barrett had had to employ a
livery-man to drive Mrs. Dupont back to the fort. No, there was no
other lady with her; he was sure, for he had watched them get into the
carriage.
The two troopers were no more fortunate in their results, but had
succeeded in stirring up greater excitement during their exploration,
several irate individuals, roughly aroused from sleep, exhibiting
fighting propensities, which had cost one a blackened eye, and the
other the loss of a tooth. Both, however, had enjoyed the occasion,
and appeared anxious for more. Having exhausted the possibilities of
the town, the soldiers procured lanterns, and, leaving the horses
behind, began exploring the prairie. In this labor they were assisted
by the marshal, and a few aroused citizens hastily impressed into a
posse. The search was a thorough one, but the ground nearby was so cut
up by hoofs and wheels as to yield no definite results. Hamlin,
obsessed with the belief that whatever had occurred had been engineered
by Dupont, and recalling the fact that the man was once a ranchman
somewhere to the southward, jumped to the conclusion that the fellow
would naturally head in that direction, seeking familiar country in
which to hide. With the two troopers he pushed on toward the river,
choosing the upper ford as being the most likely choice of the
fugitives. The trampled mud of the north bank exhibited fresh tracks,
but none he could positively identify. However, a party on horseback
had crossed within a few hours, and, without hesitation, he waded out
into the stream.
The gray of dawn was in the sky as the three troopers, soaked to the
waist, crept up the south bank and studied the trail. Behind them the
yellow lanterns still bobbed about between the river and town, but
there was already sufficient light to make visible the signs underfoot.
Horsemen had climbed the bank, the hoof marks yet damp where water had
drained from dripping fetlocks, and had instantly broken into a lope.
A moment's glance proved this to Hamlin as he crept back and forth,
scrutinizing each hoof mark intently.
"Five in the party," he said soberly. "Three mustangs and two American
horses, cavalry shod. About three hours ahead of us." He straightened
up, his glance peering into the gray mists. "I reckon it's likely our
outfit, but we 'll never catch them on foot. They 'll be behind the
sand-dunes before this. Before we go back, boys, we 'll see if they
left the trail where it turns west."
The three ran forward, paying little heed until they reached the edge
of the ravine. Here the beaten trail swerved sharply to the right.
Fifty feet beyond, the marks of horses' hoofs appeared on the sloping
bank, and Hamlin sprang down to where the marks disappeared around the
edge of a large bowlder. His hand on the stone, he stopped suddenly
with quick indrawing of breath, staring down at a motionless figure
lying almost at his feet. The man, roughly dressed, lay on his face, a
bullet wound showing above one ear, the back of his neck caked with
blood. The Sergeant, mastering his first sense of horror, turned him
over and gazed upon the ghastly face of Major McDonald.
"My God, they've murdered him here!" he exclaimed. "Shot him down from
behind. Look, men. No; stand back, and don't muss up the tracks.
There are foot-prints here--Indians, by heaven! Three of them Indians!"
"Some plainsmen wear moccasins."
"They don't walk that way--toes in; and see this hair in McDonald's
fingers--that's Indian, sure. Here is where a horse fell, and slid
down the bank. Is n't that a bit of broken feather caught in the bush,
Carroll? Bring it over here."
The three bent over the object.
"Well, what do you say? You men are both plainsmen."
"Cheyenne," returned Carroll promptly. "But what the hell are they
doing here?"
Hamlin shook his head.
"It will require more than guessing to determine that," he said
sternly. "And there is only one way to find out. That fellow was a
Cheyenne all right, and there were three of them and two whites in the
party--see here; the prints of five horses ridden, and one animal led.
That will be the one McDonald had. They went straight up the opposite
bank of the ravine. If they leave a trail like that we can ride after
them full speed."
Carroll had been bending over the dead officer and now glanced up.
"There's sand just below, Sergeant," he said. "That's why they are so
darn reckless here."
"Of course; they'll hide in the dunes, and the sooner we 're after them
the better. Wade, you remain with the body; Carroll and I will return
to the fort and report. We 'll have to have more men--Wasson if I can
get him--and equipment for a hard ride. Come on, Jack."
They waded the river, and ran through the town, shouting their
discovery to the marshal and his posse as they passed. Twenty minutes
later Hamlin stood before the Colonel, hastily telling the story. The
latter listened intently, gripping the arms of his chair.
"Shot from behind, hey?" he ejaculated, "and his clothing stolen.
Looks like a carefully planned affair, Sergeant; sending that fellow
through to Ripley was expected to throw us off the track. That 's why
they were so careless covering their trail; expected to have several
days' start. It is my notion they never intended to kill him; had a
row of some kind, or else Mac tried to get away. Any trace of the
girl?"
"No; but she must have been there."
"So I think; got mixed up in the affair some way, and they have been
compelled to carry her off to save themselves. Do you know why they
were after Mac?"
"No, sir."
"Well, I do; he carried thirty thousand dollars."
"What?"
"He was acting paymaster. The money came in from Wallace last evening,
and he was ordered to take it to Ripley at once."
Hamlin drew in his breath quickly in surprise.
"Who knew about that, sir?"
"No one but the Adjutant, and Major McDonald--not even the orderly."
The eyes of officer and soldier met.
"Do you suppose he could have told _her_?" the former asked in sudden
suspicion.
"That would be my theory, sir. But it is useless to speculate. We
have no proof, no means of forcing her to confess. The only thing for
us to do is to trail those fugitives. I need another man--a
scout--Wasson, if he can be spared--and rations for three days."
The Colonel hesitated an instant, and then rose, placing a hand on
Hamlin's arm.
"I 'll do it for Miss McDonald, but not for the money," he said slowly.
"I expect orders every hour for your troop, and Wasson is detailed for
special service. But damn it, I 'll take the responsibility--go on,
and run those devils down."
Hamlin turned to the door; then wheeled about.
"You know this man Dupont, Colonel?"
"Only by sight."
"Any idea where he used to run cattle?"
"Wait a minute until I think. I heard McDonald telling about him one
night at the club, something Mrs. Dupont had let slip, but I did n't
pay much attention at the time. Seems to me, though, it was down on
the Canadian. No, I have it now--Buffalo Creek; runs into the
Canadian. Know such a stream?"
"I 've heard of it; in west of the North Fork somewhere."
"You think it was Dupont, then?"
"I have n't a doubt that he is in the affair, and that the outfit is
headed for that section. I don't know, sir, where those Indians came
from, or how they happened to be up here, but I believe they belong to
Black Kettle's band of Cheyennes. His bunch is down below the
Canadian, is it not, sir?"
"Yes."
"Dupont must be friendly with them, and this coup has been planned for
some time. Last night was the chance they have been waiting for. The
only mistake in their plans has been the early discovery because of
Miss Molly's disappearance. They have gone away careless, expecting
two or three days' start, and they will only have a few hours. We 'll
run them down, with good luck, before they cross the Cimarron. You
have no further instructions, sir?"
"No, nothing, Sergeant. You 're an old hand, and know your business,
and there is no better scout on the plains than Sam Wasson. Good-bye,
and good luck."