"I
have no right to suspect anybody. We had no time to complete the
investigation. There are many hangers-on, you know, about Hay's store,
and indeed, his house. Then his household, too, has been increased, as
perhaps you did not know. Mrs. Hay's niece--a very brilliant young
woman--is visiting them, and she and Field rode frequently together."
The general's face was a study. The keen eyes were reading Dade as a
skilled physician would interpret the symptoms of a complicated case.
"How old--and what is she like, Dade?" he asked.
"The women can answer that better than I, sir. They say she must be
twenty-four;--Mrs. Hay says nineteen--She is very dark and very
handsome--at times. Most of our young men seem to think so, at least.
She certainly rides and dances admirably, and Mr. Field was constantly
her partner."
The general began to see light. "Field was constantly with her, was he?
Riding just by themselves or with others when they went out?" he asked.
"By themselves, sir. I doubt if any other of our equestriennes would
care to ride at her pace. She rather outstrips them all. The major told
me they seemed to go--well, every time he saw them, at least,--up to
Stabber's village, and that was something he disapproved of, though I
dare say she was simply curious to see an Indian village, as an Eastern
girl might be.
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