She made her way back to her quarters by the most unfrequented paths and gained her room undetected by any one.
Once in her room she threw off the dress and hat she had worn, and was soon in bed, determined to feign illness, for she wanted to be alone to think. There was very little feigning necessary, for she was really ill from the shock she had received.
At last she became more calm and was able to center her thoughts upon her plan to rescue the outlaw chief.
Mrs. De Sutro came up to see her and was distressed to find her ill.
“It’s a sick headache. Let me have a cup of strong tea and then no one must disturb me until morning,” she said.
Mrs. De Sutro came again at midnight before retiring, and found her patient sleeping peacefully, for Nina de Sutro had hit upon a plan of rescue, and then, having conned it all over, had dropped into a refreshing slumber.
CHAPTER XX.
THE SURGEON’S MISSION.
When Detective Raymond had departed from headquarters with his two friends, the colonel turned to Surgeon Powell and Buffalo Bill, who had seen that from some cause the colonel was greatly moved.
“Sit down, Powell, you and Cody, for I wish to talk to you,” said the colonel. “I am very glad that you are here.”
They both obeyed, and the colonel lighted another cigar, and after smoking it for a couple of minutes, tossed it away.