"You——" quivered Hal.
"Easy, Overton, lad," admonished the captain. "Nothing is proved by calling another hard names. Take that chair, Mr. Overton, and wait until Sergeant Raney returns."
Pausing by the chair, before dropping into it, Hal faced his captain to say:
"I beg, sir, that you will order a search at once. I offer my person, my baggage—everything to be searched."
"I will have Sergeant Raney do it as soon as he returns," Captain Foster assured the angry young officer. "Raney is a wholly discreet fellow."
In time Sergeant Raney returned. He looked somewhat surprised when, after being taken into the officers' tent with his two superiors and Ruggles, Raney was ordered to begin a careful search of the lieutenant. Captain Foster stood where he could instantly have detected any effort that the Army boy might have made to throw any thing away.
Hal's first act was to unfasten his belt, and drop it, revolver and all, upon a chair. Then he straightened up, very white from the humiliation, yet absolutely sure, of course, that nothing damaging could be found upon him. Sergeant Raney went systematically through the young officer's pockets, searched for a money belt and failed to find one, explored his young officer's socks and shoes and even searched Hal's hatband.
"Now, the cartridge-box and revolver holster, Sergeant," insisted Captain Foster.
"And after that whatever baggage the young man may have," breathed Ruggles. "Also his bedding and——"
"Peace, sir!" commanded Captain Foster. "Wait until——"