“You are a very remarkable man, Arden, and if you had devoted to good deeds the talent and energy you have to evil ones, you would have made a very great name.” “I have as it is, for Silk Lasso Sam, the outlaw chief, is the talk of barracks, camp-fire, stage-station, mines, and, in fact, all along the frontier, while I am certainly greatly feared.” “And you are glad to be feared?” “Why not, for if I cannot be loved I can be feared. But you had some other motive in deciding not to aid me to escape.” “Granted.” “What is the reason?” “I may as well tell you.” “Certainly.” “Because there is another enlisted in your cause.” “What other?” “Your sister.” “Ah! is she interesting herself in me to the extent of helping me escape?” “You know that she is.” “May I ask how you got your information?” “Well, I regard your sister as remarkable for a woman as you for a man.” “Well?” “She came here for one purpose, and that was to save you. I saw it in her face, though others only read that she had come to comfort you in your last hour. Convinced that you are in safe hands, I shall make no other effort, and I am here to tell you so. I have enjoyed my talk with you, so now will say good-by, for I do not wish to attract attention to _Miss Carr_ by my long stay, and I am masquerading as that young lady, you know. Good-by.” Drawing her veil over her face, Nina de Sutro turned to go when the outlaw said sternly: “Hold!” CHAPTER XVIII. RETURN OF THE SCOUTS. Buffalo Bill and Surgeon Powell were riding slowly upon the trail back to the fort. They had left Pocket City early that morning, after passing another night there, and had ridden slowly along homeward, for the fort is the home of the soldier and the scout. After the burial of Shuffles they had returned to the Frying Pan, where they were entertained by Bonnie Belle. The Devil’s Den had been kept closed out of respect for the dead manager, and a Sabbath-day stillness rested upon the camp. The Vigilante opened his store to turn an honest penny, and the gambling-dens, for the Devil’s Den did not have a monopoly by any means, had opened wide their doors, to catch those miners and loafers who would drop in. The Frying Pan had fed an enormous crowd at supper, and then settled down to rest. One of the rules of Bonnie Belle, and which was religiously respected, was that the Devil’s Den should never open on Sundays, and the miners seemed really glad of this respite from the noisy bustle of the place and the gambling and drinking which was sure to come. The more Surgeon Powell and Buffalo Bill saw of the strange woman who seemed to hold the destinies of Pocket City in her little hand, the more they were pleased with her, and mystified.