Mrs. De Sutro came again at midnight before retiring, and found her patient sleeping peacefully, for Nina de Sutro had hit upon a plan of rescue, and then, having conned it all over, had dropped into a refreshing slumber. CHAPTER XX. THE SURGEON’S MISSION. When Detective Raymond had departed from headquarters with his two friends, the colonel turned to Surgeon Powell and Buffalo Bill, who had seen that from some cause the colonel was greatly moved. “Sit down, Powell, you and Cody, for I wish to talk to you,” said the colonel. “I am very glad that you are here.” They both obeyed, and the colonel lighted another cigar, and after smoking it for a couple of minutes, tossed it away. “Tobacco always soothes me,” he said, by way of explanation. Then brightening up, he continued: “Let me ask pardon for my delay, but the truth is I was both nonplused and pleased by the news brought by that gentleman, Raymond. He is a State detective, an officer of the law, and brought me this letter, which I will read to you.” This the colonel did, the two listening most attentively: “This,” he continued, “is a requisition from the Governor of Illinois for the prisoner, Silk Lasso Sam.” This also was read, the surgeon and the scout making no comment. The colonel then continued: “There seems to be in this a reflection upon my course in having at once tried this man by military court, which sentenced him to death upon the gallows. Out here on this border my word is law, and the outlaw has had a price set upon his head for breaking the laws of the land, for committing crimes untold, and he richly deserves his fate. “The proof against him was perfect, and I sentenced him to death by hanging, at a certain date. Now, it must be that the general gave out my report to the papers, the man was recognized as an old offender, who had broken the laws of the State of Illinois, and the State has sought to gain possession of him, to try him by civil process. “Now he may, or may not be hanged, according to the law known by his lawyer, or his brilliancy as an orator, for most cases hang on these two things. Of course, if acquitted, he will be back here soon after, again working the trails as a road-agent. If sent to prison he will be pardoned out by the next governor, who may be of his political creed, who hopes to gain a few votes thereby for his clemency, and, if hanged, then he saves us the trouble of swinging him up. “Now, this is the point that pleases me, for, from certain reasons I cannot explain, I am very glad that I will not be the one to have to sign his death-warrant, or send him to the gallows. That is an honor I shall gladly yield to the Governor of Illinois.