“I won’t believe it,” returned Buffalo Bill, hoping against hope. “Some other reason brought him back. I’m going down to the cottonwood immediately. But first I’ll get speech with the girl.”
Black-face Ned had brought his rifle to the tunnel, and the king of scouts thumped on the trapdoor with the muzzle of the weapon.
“Ye won’t get ther girl ter open ther trap, Buffler,” said Alkali Pete. “She’ll think ye aire Black-face Ned, fer sure.”
As the door did not open, the king of scouts yelled at the top of his voice: “Open. It is Cody who speaks.”
If the sound penetrated to the room above, no indication of the fact was given.
“I’ll have to go around and into the front door of the castle, Pete. It’s a waste of time, but it can’t be helped.”
“Goin’ ter leave Black-face Ned hyer?” asked the lanky plainsman.
“No, we’ll take him along with us.”
The bound outlaw was conveyed to the outer air, and there set on his feet and conducted to the front of the castle.
Leaving the prisoner with Alkali Pete, Buffalo Bill entered the building. As he stepped into the hall he saw that the door of the room with the trap was open.