three P.M. the day before Christmas
`` Black Bill , '' with his incomplete report , had gone back to Omaha to further mystify the adjutant-general and to eat his Christmas dinner . The order for the court-martial hung fire until the preliminary investigation could be concluded . Fort Cushing set itself to enjoy the sweet festival as best it might , while such a problem remained unsolved . Veterinary Surgeon Mayhew had taken seven days ' leave , an eastbound train , and at three P.M. the day before Christmas came a telegram from -- Arnold , Esq. , of Standish Bay , Massachusetts , announcing that he would leave forthwith for the West , bringing his sister with him . The Sumters told Mrs. Stannard , and she told Bob Lanier . It has been said that this young gentleman was an outspoken fellow , with a hit-or-miss way of saying things when once his mind was made up , and by this time it would seem he had made up his mind . `` Mrs. Stannard , if you think a girl could stand the sight of such a Guy Fawkes as this , I would give much to speak ten minutes to Miss Miriam Arnold . ''