“Has any one here anything to ask,—­any business to transact?”

Two or three mentioned some routine matters that required the action of the post-commander, but did so reluctantly, as though they preferred to await the orders of the colonel himself.  Captain Wilton, indeed, spoke his sentiments: 

“I wanted to see Colonel Maynard about getting two men of my company relieved from extra duty; but, as he isn’t here, I fancy I had better wait.”

“Not at all.  Who are your men?—­Have it done at once, Mr. Adjutant, and supply their places from my company, if need be.  Now is there anything else?”

The group was apparently “nonplussed,” as the adjutant afterwards put it, by such unlooked-for complaisance on the part of the usually crotchety senior captain.  Still, no one offered to lead the others and leave the room.  After a moment’s nervous rapping with his knuckles on the desk, Captain Chester again abruptly spoke: 

“Gentlemen, I am sorry to incommode you, but, if there be nothing more that you desire to see me about, I shall go on with some other matters, which—­pardon me—­do not require your presence.”

At this very broad hint the party slowly found their legs, and with much wonderment and not a few resentful glances at their temporary commander the officers sauntered to the door-way.  There, however, several stopped again, still reluctant to leave in the face of so pervading a mystery, for Wilton turned.

“Am I to understand that Colonel Maynard has left the post to be gone any length of time?” he asked.

“He has not yet gone.  I do not know how long he will be gone or how soon he will start.  For pressing personal reasons he has turned over the command to me; and, if he decide to remain away, of course some field-officer will be ordered to come to head-quarters.  For a day or two you will have to worry along with me; but I shan’t worry you more than I can help.  I’ve got mystery and mischief enough here to keep me busy, God knows.  Just ask Sloat to come back here to me, will you?  And—­Wilton, I did not mean to be abrupt with you.  I’m all upset to-day.  Mr. Adjutant, notify Mr. Jerrold at once that he must not leave the post until I have seen him.  It is the colonel’s last order.  Tell him so.”

II.

The night before had been unusually dark.  A thick veil of clouds overspread the heavens and hid the stars.  Moon there was none, for the faint silver crescent that gleamed for a moment through the swift-sailing wisps of vapor had dropped beneath the horizon soon after tattoo, and the mournful strains of “taps,” borne on the rising wind, seemed to signal “extinguish lights” to the entire firmament as well as to Fort Sibley.  There was a dance of some kind at the quarters of one of the staff-officers living far up the row on the southern terrace.  Chester heard the laughter and chat as the young officers and their