He offered his hand. “I’ll be strolling back to Croghan’s. Fare you safely!”

“And you,” I said, not thinking, however, of him. But I thought of Lana, and wished to God that Boyd were with us on this midnight march, and Lana safe in Albany once more.

As I entered the fort, through the smoky flare of torches, I saw Dolly Glenn waiting there; and as I passed she gave a frightened exclamation.

“Did you wish to speak to me?” I asked.

“Is — is Lieutenant Boyd going with you?” she stammered.

“No, child.”

She thanked me with a pitiful sort of smile, and shrank back into the darkness.