“Yes, Lester, all that I can do. I will also send another courier after Caruth with a letter giving these facts, so that he can advise Buffalo Bill, and they will not be acting in the dark. It is a bold, clever game that has been played, and I fear it was too well planned to be any doubt as to the escape of that daring outlaw, Silk Lasso Sam.” “Do you think, sir, that he was in the secret?” “Yes, or it could never have been carried out to such a successful termination.” “Then the lady who was here as his sister must have been the fair plotter.” “Yes, Colonel De Sutro, she and no one else; but, I cannot believe that it was intended by her that a life should be taken in this escape. That is why I say it was so cleverly planned, in Chicago, not here, and money obtained those letter-heads, the use of the State seal, and the forgery of those papers.” “She is a very remarkable woman, Colonel Dunwoody.” “Yes, Lester, she is; but humane as well as clever and daring. She has planned, too, that her brother should make no mistake in escaping, and so I am sure that Buffalo Bill and those he guides are following a blind trail.” “Where is the woman now, sir?” “The lady, Colonel De Sutro, for she is such and cannot be censured for saving her brother, has gone East, I believe. At least, such was her intention.” “And Miss Carr does not know her address, major?” asked Colonel De Sutro, who was always envious of Clarice Carr’s receiving more attention than Nina, and was willing to give a little dig at the major, in return for the colonel’s rebuke to him for calling Ruth Arden a woman. “Miss Arden has promised to write to Miss Carr, Colonel De Sutro, yet has not done so thus far. With Colonel Dunwoody, I am not one to cast the slightest censure upon her for wishing to save her wicked brother from the gallows, and I admire her pluck, but only hope Powell has not been a sufferer by it.” “I most sincerely echo your hope, Lester, that Powell has come to no harm by this escape,” said Colonel Dunwoody, and Colonel De Sutro expressed the same wish. After some further conversation upon the subject it was decided that the letter should be at once written and despatched by courier, in order to get a response from the general as soon as possible. Then, while Colonel Dunwoody was writing the letter it occurred to Major Lester to volunteer himself to go on after Captain Caruth’s command, and explain the situation to that officer and to Buffalo Bill. When he mentioned to the general his determination, his services were gladly accepted, and he at once repaired to his quarters to make preparations for the night ride, and an order was sent for an escort of a sergeant and eight troopers, with a scout as guide.