“She came to see me to cheer and comfort me, and, if she saw a chance to aid me to do so.” “And she saw none?” “How could she, a stranger in this fort, see what you cannot discover?” “She came here to save you, I am sure.” “If possible, and, seeing that it was impossible, she has gone, bidding me a last farewell and leaving me to my fate.” “It is not like her.” “It is all that she could do.” The man was silent after this, but his thoughts were busy. He knew that Ruth had promised to do all in her power to save him, and had told him just what her plot was, just what to expect. But, then, it might miscarry. No plot was really certain, and big chances had to be taken to rescue him from the fort and all surrounding him. Nina de Sutro was in the fort, and her guardian was next in rank to Colonel Dunwoody. There was no better person anywhere to attempt the rescue, daring as it must be, than Nina de Sutro. She had said that she would desert him, make no effort to carry out her former plans, and thus leave him to his fate. How would he urge Nina de Sutro to change her mind, when she had decided against making the effort? It was something that needed thought, and yet he had no time to think it over. If he let her go away from him then, she would take good care not to come again to see him. He must find, therefore, some plan by which he could force her to act in his behalf. What was that plan to be? He did not know, but ventured upon an expedient, so said: “You have an idea that if I were dead, and you my widow, that you could marry some good man?” “I know that I could.” “Even Dunwoody, whom you love?” “Perhaps yes, if he was prevented from marrying your sister through having signed your death-warrant.” “Yes, he might turn to you for comfort.” “I hope so.” “And failing in that quarter, you could, perhaps, marry Captain Caruth?” “I believe that I could,” said the woman, who had received such an unlimited amount of adoration that she believed she was capable of bringing any man to her feet, as in truth she was, with very rare exceptions. “And failing with him, you have Lieutenant Vassar Turpin to fall back upon?” “Yes, all three of them splendid fellows, men of whom any woman might feel proud.” “I grant that with exceeding candor, yet must say that they are too honorable men, have too high regard for the proud records they have won, and honor the names they have inherited, unsullied by a stain, too much to ally their lives with one wholly unworthy of them.” “What do you mean?” and a strange look crept over the woman’s face, a look that was reflected from the dark, malignant countenance of the man. “I will tell you just what I mean, and what they shall know.” “I beg you to do so.” “I will, and only too soon for your ears to hear.” “In Heaven’s name tell me!” and Nina de Sutro was beginning to feel that her nerves might be treacherous to her.