“I propose to marry.”
“That fellow there? Very well. Under your father’s will, half of his property will go to the man who recovers his scalp from the Indians, and you will have to marry that man, whoever he may be, or you will get nothing but the income of the other half. I am of the opinion that I will have to remain in charge here, under the law, until we hear from Paul Robinette’s scalp.”
“Here it is,” said George Benning, unwrapping a cloth that he had taken from his breast, and showing the gray scalp.
Laurie started back in astonishment. He recognized the thin white hair of his late employer; but by what fatality had it come into the possession of George Benning?
“It is an imposition!” he exclaimed. “I don’t believe it. How can you prove that that thing is genuine?”
“I can prove it,” said Fred Wilder.
“I may as well tell you, Mr. Laurie,” said Flora, “that your conversation with Farnsworth, when he told you the provisions of my father’s will, was overheard. The revelations that were then made have placed us in the position we now occupy. I suppose you will no longer object to my having a voice in the management of my father’s property.”
“If there should be any objection, I can quiet it,” said Bad Eye, speaking in very good English. “As the nearest living relative of this young lady, I am her natural guardian.”
All looked at the Crow chief in surprise, and Flora begged him to explain.