"I have seen them at work," she replied.
I was more impressed than ever. I leave it to all if it is not a trifle hard upon a man's nerves to receive the news that other men are digging his grave for him. Moreover, her manner left no doubts. I was seized with a sudden shudder of the nerves and chill of the blood. I saw that this fanatical old colonel would carry out his farce to the end, and that end was my execution.
"Do you believe me now?" she asked.
"Yes; but what am I to do?" I said, in despair.
"You must leave Fort Defiance to-night," she said.
"Am I to go up through the roof or down through the floor?" I asked.
"Do not jest with your danger," she replied, both reproof and reproach in her voice.
"But when you speak of escape, I see no way to obey you, Miss Hetherill," I said.
"Do you suppose that I am without influence in my father's house?" she said, with some haughtiness. "I have prepared the way, and will lead. You have nothing to do but follow me."
She opened the door again, and I saw that no guard was in the hall. It was not a time to waste energy upon one's baggage or mode of taking leave, and without ado I followed her.