“Now, Miss Nina, will you be good enough to deliver this answer to the prisoner, who I suppose will understand it, or shall I send word by Lieutenant Turpin?” “I will go, sir, but may I see the courier, so that I can fully understand the report?” “Certainly, I will have him sent to your quarters, so that you can question him, and at your own pleasure you can send for the officer of the day to escort you to the outlaw’s cabin.” “I will see the courier upon my return home, sir,” was the answer, and Nina de Sutro half an hour after saw Texas Jack enter the gate and walk rapidly toward the quarters of Lieutenant-Colonel De Sutro. She met the scout at the door, for she knew him well, and he bowed courteously and said: “I have orders to report to you here, Miss De Sutro.” “Ah! it was you then, Texas Jack, who took the letter to Pocket City?” “Yes, miss, I was the courier, for although it was to have been sent by a cowboy it was decided that it would be best to have me go.” “And you found the one to whom it was addressed at Pocket City?” “No, miss, she had started East in the coach that morning, and so I rode on and overtook her.” “And her answer?” “Was: “‘Simply say that _I will_.’” “What else?” “Not a word, miss.” “Who is she?” “One of the handsomest ladies I ever saw.” “A lady?” said Nina, with a sneer. “Yes, indeed, Miss De Sutro, one of the noblest of her sex if only half that is said of her goodness is true.” “Yet she is the keeper of a border hotel and gambling-den?” “True, miss, yet she’s a lady for all that.” “Where was she going?” “East, the driver told me, on a visit.” “She did not turn back?” “Oh, no, miss, she kept on in the coach.” “And then?” “She paid me most liberally, giving me fifty dollars, which I have already handed in to the treasurer of the Scouts’ League, for aid to our men when they are in distress and ill.” “Just what I would expect of you, Texas Jack; but the prisoner asked me to pay for the services of the courier.” “Thank you, Miss De Sutro, but I made no charge for my services in this matter, and I certainly would not take money from a man under sentence of death, no matter what his crimes may have been,” responded the scout. “Well, Texas Jack, I can only thank you most kindly for the outlaw prisoner.” The scout now departed, and soon after Nina de Sutro sought the officer of the day, and found that he had already received orders to conduct her to the cabin of the prisoner. As before, the sentinel was withdrawn out of hearing, and when the visitor entered, Silk Lasso Sam arose to receive her. “I have news for you,” she said coldly. “Well?” “The courier to Pocket City has returned.” “Ah! and he found the one to whom I sent that letter?” “Yes, he overtook her on her way East.” “On her way East?” The man spoke with an anxiety of look and tone which Nina de Sutro could not but observe. “Yes.” “Then she sent no answer to my letter?” “She did.” “Ha! and that answer was----”