The man was silent after this, but his thoughts were busy. He knew that Ruth had promised to do all in her power to save him, and had told him just what her plot was, just what to expect.
But, then, it might miscarry. No plot was really certain, and big chances had to be taken to rescue him from the fort and all surrounding him.
Nina de Sutro was in the fort, and her guardian was next in rank to Colonel Dunwoody. There was no better person anywhere to attempt the rescue, daring as it must be, than Nina de Sutro.
She had said that she would desert him, make no effort to carry out her former plans, and thus leave him to his fate.
How would he urge Nina de Sutro to change her mind, when she had decided against making the effort?
It was something that needed thought, and yet he had no time to think it over. If he let her go away from him then, she would take good care not to come again to see him.
He must find, therefore, some plan by which he could force her to act in his behalf. What was that plan to be? He did not know, but ventured upon an expedient, so said:
“You have an idea that if I were dead, and you my widow, that you could marry some good man?”
“I know that I could.”
“Even Dunwoody, whom you love?”