“I will do as you wish, sir. But you are angry with me, Colonel Dunwoody?”
“No, I am sorry that you placed yourself and Miss Carr in a false position,” was the reply, and when the colonel left the room Nina de Sutro threw herself upon the floor and burst into tears.
CHAPTER XXII.
BUFFALO BILL’S MAD RIDE.
Horseshoe Ned, always an important personage in the eyes of many, was particularly so on the morning of his departure for the East with no less a person as a passenger than Silk Lasso Sam.
He had told over and over again the story of his last run out, and had brought with him as evidence of Miss Arden’s deadly shooting the outlaw, wounded in both arms, who had been placed under guard in the hospital.
Now he was to go out with Silk Lasso Sam and the three detectives. He had another passenger, whom he had no knowledge of, but the box-seat had been engaged for some one who was to go along.
The coach rattled up to its starting-place, the mail was put aboard and instructions given, and the three detectives stood ready to receive their prisoner.
Presently a squad of soldiers was seen approaching, and in their midst was the tall form of the outlaw chief. He walked upright with soldierly step, and looked about him as he halted at the stage-station with calm indifference.
A very large crowd had gathered to see him off, and, as the guard halted, they were anxious to get a look at his face.
The officer in charge, after coming to a halt, asked: