There was a mystery here, and Duane could scarcely wait for it to be solved.

While eating he had bent keen eyes around him.

After a first quiet scrutiny the rangers apparently paid no more attention to him.

They were all veterans in service--Duane saw that--and rugged, powerful men of iron constitution.
Despite the occasional joke and sally of the more youthful members, and a general conversation of camp-fire nature, Duane was not deceived about the fact that his advent had been an unusual and striking one, which had caused an undercurrent of conjecture and even consternation among them.
These rangers were too well trained to appear openly curious about their captain's guest.

If they had not deliberately attempted to be oblivious of his presence Duane would have concluded they thought him an ordinary visitor, somehow of use to MacNelly.