“But,” added the prisoner, whose name was Evans, “I doubt if they ever reach Frankfort. I reckon Red Bill will find some means of getting rid of them before he gets there.”
Captain Huffman listened to this story with horror. “If this miscreant makes way with Lieutenant Pennington and Nevels, I will hunt him to his death, if it takes ten years,” he declared. Then turning to Evans, he asked: “Did any of the gang side with Red Bill?”
“Yes, five of them did, and stayed with him,” was the answer.
“And you men, at least twenty of you, by your [pg 100]own story, coolly left our men to be foully murdered?” furiously demanded Captain Huffman.
The prisoner hung his head, but did not answer.
“Answer!” thundered Huffman.
“Red Bill promised to take them to Frankfort,” he at length managed to say.
“And you have just admitted that his promise was worth nothing. Where did this thing occur? Where did you leave Red Bill and his prisoners?” demanded Huffman.
“About three miles from here,” answered Evans.
“Lead us to the place at once.”