“I am at your service, be the motive of your visit what it may, Miss Nina.”
“Thank you, sir.
“You know that I went with your permission to visit the prisoner this afternoon?”
“I gave orders that you should be allowed to do so, Nina.”
“Of course, Colonel Dunwoody, I feel for that unfortunate man, in spite of his having been proven an outlaw, a most kindly feeling.”
“I can understand that thoroughly, Miss Nina, in that you owe to him your life, not to speak of having seen him afterward in Mexico win honors that only a hero could. It is a terrible misfortune that such a man as he was capable of becoming should allow his moral character to be broken utterly and sink to the level of a common criminal.
“Brave I admit him to be, a genious in his way, one whose deeds would make him a splendid commander, and with his good looks, accomplishments and courtly manners, the wonder in my mind was that you did not fall desperately in love with him, for few girls, circumstanced as you have been, Miss Nina, could have held their hearts in their keeping. You are made of very stern and sterling material, my dear Miss Nina de Sutro.”
“I thank you for saying so, Colonel Dunwoody, but as to this unfortunate man.”
“Yes.”
“You said that he had asked to see me that I might serve him in some way, as he wished to trust me with certain business to transact for him?”