"Watch Watusk," warned Ambrose. "He'll stop at nothing to keep her evidence out of court—not even murder."
The inspector smiled in an annoyed way. Ambrose's attitude did not agree with his preconceptions.
However, he immediately rode back to the Kakisa village with three troopers. In an hour he sent one of the men back for Watusk. In two hours they all returned—without Nesis.
Ambrose's heart sank like a stone. By instinct he strove to conceal his discouragement from his enemies under a nonchalant air.
The inspector, feeling that some explanation was due to Ambrose, had him brought to his tent again.
"I have searched," he said. "I can find no trace of any such person as you describe."
"Naturally, not with Watusk's help," said Ambrose bitterly.
The inspector bit his lip. According to his lights he was honestly trying to be fair to the prisoner.
"First I searched the teepees myself," he condescended to explain. "It appears there are several girls by that name. When I called on Watusk I had him watched and checked."
"The Indians were primed in advance," said Ambrose. "Watusk can pull wool over your eyes."