“Where are the Comanches now?” “They are at the back of the castle, crouching against the wall near the door, and waiting for the door to open, or——” “Or what?” as Thunder Cloud paused. “Or for some signal from the great white warrior, Pa-e-has-ka.” “Don’t they know that the Apaches have gone?” “No. When the Comanches stole around to the rear, my braves quietly went out the front door, and were in the grove before Wild Bill could place watchers at each side of the castle.” “I see. Hickok would not have counted on such a move on the part of the enemy, and so failed to take precautions against a sudden evacuation of the castle. Well, when the Yelpers return to their home, if they do return without an understanding between me and Wild Bill, they will find Black Wing and your braves in possession of the cliff. Then what?” “Black Wing will again urge the Comanches to sign a treaty of peace. He will have the whip hand, as you Americans say, and the Comanches may listen this time and agree to accept Black Wing’s suggestion. And again they may not, for that devil, Wild Bill, may again bend them to his will.” Buffalo Bill’s face was sober. “It’s up to me to act,” he said, with decision. “But before I make an attempt to get speech with Wild Bill, I wish to see Colonel Hayden and his daughter. Bring them here, if you please.” “Thunder Cloud will bring the white maiden, but the great white warrior cannot see the white maiden’s father.” This was said with compressed lips and a ferocious expression. The king of scouts involuntarily clenched his hands. He tried to speak without betraying his feelings. “Does Thunder Cloud forget what he promised? Did he not say that he would release all the prisoners?” The Apache chief replied, with lowering brows: “He did so promise, but he forgot when he spoke that one of the prisoners had already been condemned to death. Would Thunder Cloud be willing to forget that Colonel Hayden said ‘yes’ to the order that sent Thunder Cloud in disgrace from the white soldiers’ camp? Thunder Cloud would be a dog if he did not take his revenge upon the white colonel.” There was a stir in the cellar. Alkali Pete, who was standing nearest the open trap, heard it, but the noise did not reach the ears of the Apache chief. The lanky plainsman, controlling his excitement with an effort, flashed a warning glance at Buffalo Bill. The king of scouts interpreted the meaning of the glance, and, therefore, made this response to the chief’s ultimatum: “Bring the girl to me.” Thunder Cloud glued his keen eyes to the scout’s, as if he would read what was beyond them. But he made nothing from the searching scrutiny. Buffalo Bill was placidly smiling. With a grunt, the Indian turned and walked toward the door. When he was gone, Alkali Pete stooped by the trap, and called out in a whisper: “Aire ye thar, Hickok?” “Yes,” was the quick answer. “Come down, won’t you, and pass the word to Cody, if he is up there with you.”