on foot.  We charged into a trap, and were nearly annihilated, and Shultz was either killed, or made prisoner.  Two days later I was arrested under charges, was tried by court-martial, and dismissed from the service in disgrace.  Early produced a copy of his written order; it read ’cautiously feel the enemy’s position,’ and Le Fevre went on the stand, and swore the original had been delivered to me.  I had no witnesses.”

She watched him with wide-open eyes, her lips parted.

“And she—­this Vera Carson?”

The man laughed bitterly.

“Wrote him a letter, which the man actually had the nerve to show me when I was helpless, proving her falsity.  I would not believe, and went back seeking her.  But she had departed—­no one knew where—­but had first convinced herself that my name had been erased from my uncle’s will.  Two months later I heard that she married Le Fevre in Richmond.”

“And she—­that woman—­actually asked you to meet her again to-night?”

“Yes.”

“Did you?”

“I must plead guilty.”

“Where?”

“Here; just where we are now; we were together half an hour.”

She half arose to her feet, her hand grasping the rail.

“But I cannot understand.  Why should you?  Do you—­”

“No; wait,” he interrupted, venturing to touch her arm.  “I came, not because of any interest in her, Miss Molly—­but for you.”

CHAPTER XX

MOLLY TELLS HER STORY

Her breath came in a little sob, and she sank back on the bench.

“For me?  How do you mean?”

“Surely I had every reason to distrust her, to question her character, and I could not believe you realized the sort of woman she is.  I felt it my duty to discover her purpose here, and to warn you if possible.”

“And you have succeeded?  You learned her purpose in your interview?”

“Not exactly,” with regret.  “My suspicion was merely stimulated.  To tell the truth, we rather drifted into a renewal of our old quarrel.  However, between what she said, and parts of another conversation overheard, I know there is a blackmailing conspiracy on foot in which you are involved.  May I speak very frankly?”

“I certainly desire it,” proudly.  “I am not aware that I have anything to conceal.”

“Apparently the scheme these people have on foot originated about Lieutenant Gaskins.  He is wealthy, I understand?”

“I have been told so; yes, I know he is.”

“This knowledge, coupled with the fact of your engagement—­”

“My what?”

“Your engagement.  I had heard it rumored before, and Mrs. Dupont assured me it was true.”

“But it is not true, Sergeant Hamlin”—­indignantly.  “I cannot imagine how such a report ever started.  Lieutenant Gaskins has been very friendly; has—­” her voice breaking slightly, “even asked me to marry him, but—­but I told him that was impossible.  He has been just as kind to me since, but there is nothing, absolutely nothing between us.  I have never spoken about this before to any one.”