“No, Bonnie Belle, he has gone out to lunch, but he will soon return, so walk into his private office and await his coming.” “Is no one there?” “Not a soul at this hour, miss.” “I will go, then.” She was led by the orderly into the private quarters of the general commanding, and as she halted near the desk, she asked: “Bainbridge, will you kindly get me a glass of water?” The orderly promptly disappeared upon the errand, and quickly Bonnie Belle stepped to the desk, glanced at something that caught her eye, and thrust it in her pocket. “Who is the assistant adjutant-general, Bainbridge, on the general’s staff?” she asked casually, after drinking the water and thanking him for it. The orderly told her, and then the two had quite a long talk together before the officer referred to entered. “A lady to see the general, sir, upon important business,” said the orderly. “Be seated, madam, for the general will return very soon.” A moment after the general entered and bowed as he saw a lady in waiting. When she threw back her veil, revealing her beautiful face, he seemed impressed, and said, with marked courtesy: “How can I serve you, miss?” “Permit me to ask you, general, if I can confide a secret to you and yet keep my name from you?” “Certainly, if you wish.” “My mission, then, sir, is one of sorrow to me, for I come to ask a favor of you.” “Of what tenor, miss?” “There has been captured at Pioneer Post a noted criminal, for he is an outlaw and road-agent, known as Silk Lasso Sam.” “Yes, I have word from Colonel Dunwoody, of the fort, and that he has been sentenced to death for his crimes.” “Is this legal, general?” “It is justice and military law, for that prevails in that wild land of lawlessness.” “Suppose that he were already amenable to the civil laws for crimes committed, could he not be taken from the military prison for trial East?” “That may be, but I apprehend no such demand.” “Nor do I, sir, only I wished to know if I should appeal to the civil or the military for permission to see this condemned man, and be with him in his last moments.” “Ah! that is the situation, is it, miss?” “Yes, sir.” “What is this man to you?” “All that I have in the world of near kindred, sir--_my brother_.” “Indeed? You have my sympathy indeed, my dear lady.” “And is your sympathy deep enough, may I ask, to allow of your permitting me to go to this doomed brother of mine, be with him in his last hours, and, when your military law has been satisfied by his death, to permit me to claim the body for burial? Remember, I do not attempt to deny his crimes, or to palliate them in the slightest degree, for he deserves death for breaking the laws of his land as he has; but I do beg for this mercy for him, and for me, that you permit me to be with him in his last moments.” The general bit his lips, and the adjutant turned his gaze earnestly upon the fair pleader, for he, too, was impressed.