“On the next coach day.”
“Then he will escape death?”
“Here, at least, though, perhaps, he may be hanged by civil process of law.”
“I thank you, sir,” and Nina passed on, while there flashed through her mind great joy at being relieved of having to carry out the bold plan she had formed for the rescue of the man.
“I think they will hang him in Illinois, and he will hardly expect me to rescue him from the civil authorities. But I shall never feel at rest until his neck is stretched. I hope that he will attempt to escape on the way, and be shot by the guards.”
The colonel, meanwhile, met, as he strolled along the bluffs, Clarice Carr. He stopped for a moment’s talk with her, and waited, supposing she would ask him, also, about the prisoner. But she did not.
“Where is your curiosity, Miss Clarice?” he asked, with a smile.
“I have no idle curiosity, colonel.”
“This is remarkable, for when I went to the adjutant’s this morning I met seven ladies, all of whom asked me about this prisoner, Silk Lasso Sam. On my way back a dozen were lying in ambush for me, and I had to tell the story over again. Just now I was waylaid by Miss De Sutro, and she questioned me like a Philadelphia lawyer, and now you have no questions to ask.”
“I have not, sir, for I am not in command of Pioneer Post.”