only an hour or two had they enjoyed of his company on their way West; and the very day that the officers went off to the court came the telegram saying the Hurleys would arrive that evening.  Hayne had already talked over their prospective visit with Major Waldron, and the latter had told his wife; but all intercourse of a friendly character was at an end between them and the Rayners and Buxtons; there were no more gossipy chats among the ladies.  Indeed, it so happened that only to one or two people had Mrs. Waldron had time to mention that Mr. Hayne’s sister was coming, and neither the Rayners nor Buxtons had heard of it; neither had Nellie Travers, for it was after the evening of her last visit that Mrs. Waldron was told.

Hayne ran with his telegram to the major, and the latter had introduced himself and Major Stannard to Mrs. Hurley when, after a weary wait of some hours, the train arrived.  Blake, too, was there, on the lookout for some friends, and he was presented to Mrs. Hurley while her husband was attending to some matters about the baggage.  The train went on eastward, carrying the field-officers with it.  Blake had to go with his friends back to the post, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurley, after the former had attended to some business and seen some railway associates of his at the hotel, took the carriage they had had before and drove out to the garrison, where Private Schweinkopf saw the lady rapturously welcomed by Lieutenant Hayne and escorted into the house, while Mr. Hurley remained settling with the driver out in the darkness.  It was not long before the commanding officer pro tem, was called from the hop-room, where the dance was going on delightfully, and notified that the mysterious visitor had again appeared, with evident intention of spending the night, as the carriage had returned to town.  “Why, certainly,” reasoned Buxton.  “It’s the very night he would choose, since everybody will be at the hop:  no one will be apt to interfere, and everybody will be unusually drowsy and less inclined to take notice in the morning.”  Here was ample opportunity for a brilliant stroke of work.  He would first satisfy himself she was there, then surround the house with sentries so that she could not escape, while he, with the officer of the day and the corporal of the guard, entered the house and confronted him and her. That would wind up Mr. Hayne’s career beyond question:  nothing short of dismissal could result.  Over he went, full of his project, listened at Hayne’s like the eaves-dropping sneak he was, saw again the shadow of the graceful form and heard the silvery, happy laugh, and then it was he sent for Rayner.  It was near midnight when he led his forces to the attack.  A light was now burning in the second story, which he thought must be Sam’s; but the lights had been turned low in the parlor, and the occupants had disappeared from sight and hearing.  By inquiry he had ascertained that Hayne’s bedroom was just back of the parlor.  A man was stationed