"Lieutenant Ray," said Colonel North, to the officer of the day, who had followed the guard, "I think you had better summon Major Silsbee at once."
The major was there, inside of five minutes.
"So the scoundrels have blistered you, too, sir?" demanded the white-faced battalion commander wrathfully.
"They have taken almost everything in the way of valuable property that Mrs. North and I own, Major."
"We've got to put a stop to this, sir. And we've got to find and bring the rascals to boot."
"Pardon me, Colonel; shall I pass the order for a prompt search of barracks?" queried the officer of the day.
"No, Mr. Ray," replied Colonel North promptly. "Until I have real proof I'm not going to put the slight upon our enlisted men. I believe they're all fine men. If I had taken more time to think I never would have sanctioned the last search of barracks. It shan't happen again."
Captain Ruggles of A Company, having heard some excitement along the row, now came in.
"What we might, and perhaps ought to do, Major," continued the Colonel, "is to advise the married officers whose homes have not yet been robbed that they will do well to send their valuables into town for safe-keeping at the bank for the present."
"We might, sir," assented Silsbee dryly. "The bank in Clowdry is under the protection of a police force of less than a dozen men. Shall we admit, Colonel, that a dozen policemen are safer guardians of property than our four hundred men of the Regular Army?"