eight o'clock
But even through the blinding tears with which so many loving women wrought , packing the field and mess kits of soldier husbands whose duties kept them with their men at barracks or stables , there were some , at least , who were quick to see that matters of unusual moment called certain of the major 's stanchest henchmen to the office , and that grave and earnest consultation was being held , from which men came with sombre faces and close-sealed lips . First to note these indications was the indomitable helpmate of old Wilkins , the post quartermaster . She had no dread on his account , for rheumatism and routine duties , as the official in charge of Uncle Sam 's huge stack of stores and supplies , exempted her liege from duty in the field ; and , even while lending a helping hand where some young wife and mother seemed dazed and broken by the sudden call to arms , she kept eyes and ears alert as ever , and was speedily confiding to first one household , then another , her conviction that there was a big sensation bundled up in the bosom of the post commander and his cronies , and she knew , she said , it was something about Field . Everybody , of course , was aware by eight o'clock that Field had gone with Ray , and while no officer presumed to ask if it was because Ray , or Field , had applied for the detail , no woman would have been restrained therefrom by any fear of Webb . Well he realized this fact and , dodging the first that sought to waylay him on the walk , he had later intrenched himself , as it were , in his office , where Dade , Blake and the old post surgeon had sat with him in solemn conclave while Bill Hay brought his clerk , bar-keeper , store-keeper , Pete , the general utility man , and even `` Crapaud , '' the halfbreed , to swear in succession they had no idea who could have tampered with either the safe or the stables . Closely had they been cross-examined ; and , going away in turn , they told of the nature of the cross-examination ; yet to no one of their number had been made known what had occurred to cause such close questioning . Hay had been forbidden to speak of it , even to his household .