"Then, by the great guns, sir, I hope you go further and catch the culprit," exploded Major Silsbee, bringing his fist down on the desk.
"Ah," sighed Lieutenant Wright. "That's just where the trouble is. It will be a hard task, sir."
CHAPTER XX
THE LUCK OF THE YOUNG RECRUIT
ON top of all this came the news that Colonel North's quarters had been entered the night following.
Worse, the scoundrels had used chloroform this time. Colonel North awoke at about three in the morning, his head feeling heavy and dull. He noted at once the strange odor in the room. Then he roused his family. Traces of thieves were found; within ten seconds after that Colonel North had summoned the guard.
Yet the two sentries on duty in officers' row both declared that they had seen no prowlers.
Almost every article of value had been found and taken. A pair of costly revolvers belonging to the regimental commander had gone with the loot. Some money, too, had been found and taken. Colonel North and his family placed their loss at nearly four thousand dollars.