“This is an honor, Captain Caruth, I appreciate.”
“The honor, sir, is to come in the visit of one whom you should have thought of ere you allowed yourself to become what you now are,” was the stern reply.
The prisoner started and his face changed color.
“I do not comprehend, sir,” he faltered.
“You have a sister, sir?”
“Yes, my sister Ruth.”
“Miss Arden, your sister, is now here to visit you, for she is coming with the colonel.” An expression of joy swept over the face of the outlaw while he said in a tone that seemed sincere:
“God bless her for coming here to see me. She is a brave, noble girl, true as steel.”
“It is to be regretted that you did not think of her in the past.”
“I did, and of my mother, too; but I was born bad, my heart was wicked from boyhood and it was destined for me to be the devil I am.” The prisoner spoke bitterly, and Captain Caruth said in a kindly tone: