“I did. He went into that room. I was to follow him, for I wanted to have a talk with him; but when I entered the room he was not in it. If you can find him, or tell what became of him, I shall be obliged to you, for I’m as anxious to know where he is as you are.” She gave him a stare of disbelief, then she walked to the door and looked in. “He ain’t in there,” she said, withdrawing her head, “and he never was in there, and you know it. Playin’ with my feelin’s, aire ye? And me a pore, lone woman! Well, now that’s what I’d expect of you, Persimmon Pete, and nothin’ else. You’ve hid him away, and aire laughin’ at me, thinkin’ it’s smart. But you’ll find I ain’t a lady to be trifled with. I want my husband.” She planted herself before the scout and flourished her ancient umbrella. “I want my ondutiful husband, and I want him this minute!” The scout was too anxious and too greatly mystified to laugh. “Madam, if I knew where he was, I shouldn’t turn him over to your tender mercies, but I don’t know where he is.” “Do you mean to tell me he went into that room, and then drapped out o’ sight?” “He did.” She went to the door and looked in again. “You used to tell some big lies, Persimmon Pete, when you was sellin’ that Injun medicine, that you said would cure about anything in creation; but you must have been practicin’ some lately, fer that’s the biggest lie that ever was told.” “It looks it,” he admitted. She glared at him in disbelief. “I can’t stay to talk with you,” he added, “for I’m going to call for Latimer. He may be able to explain this thing. There must be a way out of that room which I know nothing about and cannot discover.” “What is it?” called Latimer. “Will you be so good as to come here?” Cody asked. “Here’s a mystery that is baffling and serious, but you may be able to make it seem quite simple.” Latimer came forward. “Yes?” he said questioningly. “Nomad came into this hall but a little while ago. He was hurrying, and as he came in he told me to follow him into that room, as he wished a word with me in private. I followed him to the door, and then on into the room; but he wasn’t there. He did not come out by the door, for it was in my view all the time, and he could not have gone out by the window and left it locked on the inside, if he’d had time, which he had not. Will you be so good as to point out what other way he could have gone out of that room?” Latimer hesitated. “Will you step to the door and look in,” said the scout. John Latimer obeyed this, but when he turned about his face showed agitation. “It’s one of the mysteries of this strange place,” he said, in a low voice. “All of my servants have disappeared in just that way. For a while they are here working around; then they are gone. I don’t know what becomes of them. I get other servants, and they likewise disappear.” His manner was agitated. Buffalo Bill stood aghast. “Are you in sober earnest, Mr. Latimer?” “Never more so,” was the answer.