“Why, what on earth could have happened around there,—­almost back of us?” said the colonel, in surprise.

“I do not know what had happened, or what was going to happen.”  And Chester paused a moment, and glanced towards the door through which Miss Renwick had retired as soon as the colonel arrived.  The old soldier seemed to understand the glance. “She would not listen,” he said, proudly.

“I know,” explained Chester.  “I think it best that no one but you should hear anything of the matter for the present until I have investigated further.  It was nearly half-past three this morning as I got around here on Five’s post, inspecting sentinels, and came suddenly in the darkness upon a man carrying a ladder on his shoulder.  I ordered him to halt.  The reply was a violent blow, and the ladder and I were dropped at the same instant, while the man sprang into space and darted off in the direction of Number Five.  I followed quick as I could, heard the challenge and the cries of halt, and shouted to Leary to fire.  He did, but missed his aim in the haste and darkness, and the man got safely away.  Of course there is much talk and speculation about it around the post this morning, for several people heard the shots besides the guard, and, although I told Leary and others to say nothing, I know it is already generally known.”

“Oh, well, come in to breakfast,” said the colonel.  “We’ll talk it over there.”

“Pardon me, sir, I cannot.  I must get back home before guard-mount, and Rollins is probably waiting to see me now.  I—­I could not discuss it at the table, for there are some singular features about the matter.”

“Why, in God’s name, what?” asked the colonel, with sudden and deep anxiety.

“Well, sir, an officer of the garrison is placed in a compromising position by this affair, and cannot or will not explain.”

“Who?”

“Mr. Jerrold, sir.”

“Jerrold!  Why, I got a note from him not ten minutes ago saying he had an engagement in town and asking permission to go before guard-mounting, if Mr. Hall was ready.  Hall wanted to go with him, Jerrold wrote, but Hall has not applied for permission to leave the post.”

“It is Jerrold who is compromised, colonel.  I may be all wrong in my suspicions, all wrong in reporting the matter to you at all, but in my perplexity and distress I see no other way.  Frankly, sir, the moment I caught sight of the man he looked like Jerrold; and two minutes after the shots were fired I inspected Jerrold’s quarters.  He was not there, though the lamps were burning very low in the bedroom, and his bed had not been occupied at all.  When you see Leary, sir, he will tell you that he also thought it must be Mr. Jerrold.”

“The young scapegrace!—­been off to town, I suppose.”

“Colonel,” said Chester, quickly, “you—­not I—­must decide that.  I went to his quarters after reveille, and he was then there, and resented my visit and questions, admitted that he had been out during the night, but refused to make any statement to me.”