"His affianced bride, sah."
"Well, she will not marry him now," said Frank; "but I am truly sorry that the fellow was killed in such a dastardly manner."
"So am I, sah," confessed the queer colonel. "He has been ver' valuable to me. It will be a long time before I find another like him."
Frank did not understand that remark then, but he did afterward, when he was told that Colonel Vallier was a professional card sharp, and had bled Rolf Raymond for many thousands of dollars. This explained the singular friendship between the sharp old rascal and the young man.
More than that, Frank afterward learned that Colonel Vallier was not a commissioned officer, had never been such, but had assumed the title.
In many ways the man tried to imitate the Southern gentleman of the old school, but, as he was not a gentleman at heart, he was a sad failure.
All at once Frank remembered Barney, and that he had promised to stand by the Irish lad.
"Great Scott!" he cried. "Barney Mulloy is in there with that gang of raging wolves!"
"Nivver a bit av it, Frankie," chirped a cheerful voice. "Oi am here."
Down from the tree swung the fighting Irish lad, dropping beside his comrade.