Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/192

 176 The girl laughed, and laid her hand on Whitlock's arm.

"I told Lieutenant Raymond that I would explain fully," she said, pretending to be amused.

"But I failed to understand then what it was which had so aroused his suspicion. So it is the uniform my friend wears?"

Raymond did not answer, but the captain bowed respectfully.

"As to that I must, assume all responsibility," she went on quietly, "as I furnished it."

"You!" there was a sarcastic sneer in the lieutenant's surprise exclamation. "Why should you have in your possession a uniform of the Third Regulars?"

"I did not," she answered sweetly, but looking at Whitlock. "That uniform belonged to my cousin, an officer of the Third Kentucky."

Raymond uttered a smothered expression, stared an instant at her slightly averted face, and then, with one stride forward, swung me to the light.

"See here, Captain Whitlock," he exclaimed indignantly. "I cannot conceive what object Miss Harwood may have in desiring to protect this man, but this is not the uniform of any volunteer regiment."

"Do I understand, Lieutenant, that you dare