“And is this to swing around the circle, Buffalo Bill, and still play the detective upon me?”
“Indeed it is not,” answered the scout, flushing like a girl at the insinuation.
“I am glad of it, for we must be friends, you know.”
“We certainly shall be, if I am to have my way,” said the scout warmly.
“And we are also to be friends, Doctor Powell, for candidly, I will not do aught to cause either of you any trouble, and if I fight you, should anything turn up to cause me to do so, it shall be by strategy, not force.”
“Then we may as well acknowledge ourselves beaten when we are to measure strength in strategy with a woman,” said Surgeon Powell.
“For shame, to acknowledge defeat before the combat. It is not like you, Doctor Powell.”
“I am dealing with a woman now, Bonnie Belle, not a man.”
“Well, do not you or Buffalo Bill track me, for it will do no good, I assure you. I know that you wish to thwart me in setting my brother free, and from your standpoint you are right. But all that I could do in the matter I have done.”
“And failed?” said Buffalo Bill, with a smile.