“The lady wore Miss Carr’s red, silver-embroidered sombrero, her dress, and her veil.”
Clarice gave a start at this, and put her fingers upon her lips to silence Mrs. Lester. But in vain, for out it came:
“Why, colonel, that could have been no one else than Nina de Sutro, for she borrowed that red sombrero as a pattern for some embroidery for one for herself, and on that day, while Mrs. De Sutro has a dress the counterpart of the one Clarice often wears.”
“Miss Clarice, you and Miss De Sutro are about the same size, I believe?” said the colonel.
“I have nothing whatever to say, Colonel Dunwoody, for I have told you that I made no second visit to the prisoner, Silk Lasso Sam.”
“I hope you will pardon me, Miss Clarice, for the annoyance I have been compelled to give you.”
“There is no need to ask my pardon, colonel, for you have not offended and have done no wrong. I can well understand your position, sir, and I have no feeling whatever in the matter, other than to regret that I have been imposed upon.”
“As I regret it. Miss Clarice, and I assure you that Captain Franklin, the sergeant, corporal, and sentinel shall at once be made acquainted with the fact that the visitor to Silk Lasso Sam was not yourself.”
After a short visit the major and the ladies left the headquarters, and, putting on his hat, Colonel Dunwoody directed his steps to the home of Lieutenant-Colonel De Sutro.
He asked to see Miss De Sutro, and Nina soon entered the room, looking very pretty in a morning-dress.