Her breath came in a little sob, and she sank back on the bench.
"For me? How do you mean?"
"Surely I had every reason to distrust her, to question her character, and I could not believe you realized the sort of woman she is. I felt it my duty to discover her purpose here, and to warn you if possible."
"And you have succeeded? You learned her purpose in your interview?"
"Not exactly," with regret. "My suspicion was merely stimulated. To tell the truth, we rather drifted into a renewal of our old quarrel. However, between what she said, and parts of another conversation overheard, I know there is a blackmailing conspiracy on foot in which you are involved. May I speak very frankly?"
"I certainly desire it," proudly. "I am not aware that I have anything to conceal."
"Apparently the scheme these people have on foot originated about Lieutenant Gaskins. He is wealthy, I understand?"
"I have been told so; yes, I know he is."
"This knowledge, coupled with the fact of your engagement--"
"My what?"
"Your engagement. I had heard it rumored before, and Mrs. Dupont assured me it was true."
"But it is not true, Sergeant Hamlin"--indignantly. "I cannot imagine how such a report ever started. Lieutenant Gaskins has been very friendly; has--" her voice breaking slightly, "even asked me to marry him, but--but I told him that was impossible. He has been just as kind to me since, but there is nothing, absolutely nothing between us. I have never spoken about this before to any one."
If Hamlin's heart leaped wildly at this swift denial, there was no evidence of it in his quiet voice.
"The point is, Miss Molly, that Mrs. Dupont, and those connected with her, think otherwise. They are presuming on Gaskins' being in love with you. Mrs. Dupont can be very seductive. Little by little she has drawn the Lieutenant into her net. Believing him engaged to you, they have him now where he must either pay money for silence or be exposed. Just how it was worked, I do not know. The shooting last night was done to convince him they were serious. The fact that Gaskins later denied knowing who his assailants were--even endeavored to accuse me--is abundant proof of their success." He hesitated, wondering at her silence. "What puzzles me most is why you were present."
"Present? Where?"
"At this quarrel with Gaskins last evening. As I ran by toward the scene of the shooting I passed you hiding at the angle or the barrack wall. Of course, I have mentioned the fact to no one. That was why I made no attempt to defend myself when arrested."