Returning to the rear, he reëntered the castle, and then began a search for Colonel Hayden. Every room in the castle was investigated, but the colonel could not be found. Mystified and vexed, the scout returned to the room where he had left Sybil Hayden and Thunder Cloud. The situation in the room had not changed. The Indian lay on the floor, and the girl was sitting by the side of the trap. “Didn’t you find my father?” she asked, in astonishment, mingled with alarm. “No,” replied the scout gravely, “but the chief knows where he is, and I’ll make him tell me, or I will know the reason why.” Going over to Thunder Cloud’s side, Buffalo Bill stooped, and said sternly: “Where did you put Colonel Hayden?” The Indian, who was in full possession of his senses, promptly answered: “He should be hanging from the big cottonwood at the lower end of the valley.” Sybil Hayden uttered a despairing cry. “No, no,” she wailed, “you couldn’t have sent him out to die.” “Of course he couldn’t,” said the scout consolingly. “He is mad, and he wants to torment you.” Then to the Indian: “Why do you lie? Don’t you realize that you are in a mighty ticklish position?” “Thunder Cloud has spoken the truth as it appears to him. The father of the white maiden went off with Black Wing and the Apache braves, and the order of Thunder Cloud was that the white man who is responsible for Thunder Cloud’s disgrace should be hanged like a dog from the cottonwood tree.” “The order may not have been carried out.” The Apache chief smiled grimly. But he said no word in reply. Buffalo Bill tried to comfort the colonel’s daughter. “From all accounts,” he said, “Black Wing is a decent sort of an Indian. He was bossing the Apache outfit when he left for the cliff. He wants peace. Is it in the line of peace to do an act that would bring the military down upon him? Hardly. So cheer up. I’ll bet anything that your father is now alive and in good hands.” Somewhat reassured by these words, the girl dried her eyes and insisted upon an immediate departure for the home of the Comanches. “I’ll go as soon as I have attended to Black-face Ned and have found out what has become of my friend Alkali Pete. Remain here, and in half an hour, at latest, I’ll be ready to depart.” The girl, much as she desired to get out of the castle and run to that cottonwood tree, did not interpose any objection to Buffalo Bill’s proposal. She knew he was acting as one true friend would act toward another, and so, without a protest, saw him leave the room. The king of scouts reached the mouth of the tunnel, and then looked about for evidence that would show whether or not Black-face Ned was inside or had again retreated to the open country.