“I could never win that lovely girl by offering her the hand in marriage which had signed the death-sentence of her brother, for whom her love is almost idolatrous,” he said to himself.
Then, as he had heard the various rumors afloat, he mused with a smile:
“How little it takes to start a lie upon its rounds. A letter from the general and this requisition from the Governor of Illinois, was all there was to cause a hundred idle tales to be set afloat. Well, I shall be glad when the prisoner is off my hands, and I trust he will be hanged—— Well, orderly?”
“The prisoner, sir, Silk Lasso Sam, requests an interview with you, colonel.”
“Indeed? I suppose he has already been posted as to what is going on. It is as hard to keep a State secret as it is to find out a woman’s exact age. Say that I will come to his cabin, orderly.”
The orderly disappeared and soon after Colonel Dunwoody started for the prison of the outlaw. He passed Nina de Sutro on the way, and said:
“You look pale, Miss Nina, and I was sorry to hear of your indisposition.”
“It was of little consequence, colonel; but may I ask you if it is true that this outlaw is to be surrendered to the State of Illinois?”
“It is true, Miss Nina.”
“When does he go?”