And accordingly, they crept through the low doorway, and finding the place covered with straw inside, sat down to wait.
There was no conversation among them, for each one of the trio was wrapped in his own sad thoughts. The place was in absolute darkness, and so they could not see each other.
But Clif was revolving a plan over in his thoughts, and it was not very many minutes before he made up his mind.
He rose to his feet again.
"Excuse me for a while," he said. "I will return."
And with that he hurried out of the hut.
Bessie Stuart knew why he had gone, and after a moment's silence she turned toward the lieutenant.
"My friend has left," she said, "in order that I may have a chance to talk to you."
The officer answered nothing; the girl went on slowly.
"Lieutenant Hernandez," she said "will you answer me a question?"