"Shot from behind, hey?" he ejaculated, "and his clothing stolen. Looks like a carefully planned affair, Sergeant; sending that fellow through to Ripley was expected to throw us off the track. That 's why they were so careless covering their trail; expected to have several days' start. It is my notion they never intended to kill him; had a row of some kind, or else Mac tried to get away. Any trace of the girl?"
"No; but she must have been there."
"So I think; got mixed up in the affair some way, and they have been compelled to carry her off to save themselves. Do you know why they were after Mac?"
"No, sir."
"Well, I do; he carried thirty thousand dollars."
"What?"
"He was acting paymaster. The money came in from Wallace last evening, and he was ordered to take it to Ripley at once."
Hamlin drew in his breath quickly in surprise.
"Who knew about that, sir?"
"No one but the Adjutant, and Major McDonald—not even the orderly."