“You stole it from the colonel’s quarters at the fort. We hit the trail of the horse of the fellow who took it, and that trail, when we followed it, led right here, and here we find you, with the stuff on you. That’s proof enough, ain’t it?”
“Hardly,” said Stevens. “For the trail you followed from the fort went on, after leaving this house; while, as you can see, my horse is out in front.”
“Oh, let me explain; let me explain!” cried the girl, rushing forward.
The young troopers looked at her curiously and with admiration. She was a beautiful girl; they had not known so handsome a young woman was near Fort Cimarron for some time. More than one of them expressed his admiration for her in his looks. But she was not thinking of this; she was solely concerned now about the possible fate of her lover.
“Let me explain,” she repeated.
“Yes, miss,” said the young commander respectfully; “we shall be pleased to hear anything you have to say.”
Then she told the strange story of how she had come into possession of the nugget.
“I am willing to surrender it to you,” she declared. “So you see Mr. Stevens isn’t guilty, as you thought; and, of course, you will not try to arrest him.”
The young officer looked about at his men, and he saw hesitation in their eyes. Then he remembered that he had a duty to perform.
He recalled that he had trailed to this house the pony whose tracks had guided him, and here was the nugget which had caused the pursuit.