The prisoner, rumor had it, was a convict, escaped from the State’s Prison of Illinois, and if he had been executed much valuable information which he possessed would have been forever lost. It was said that he was to be saved by turning State’s evidence, and the Governor of Illinois had raised such a rumpus about the trial of the prisoner by the military, no matter what his crimes on the border might have been, that the secretary of war had hastily taken action in the matter and demanded that the outlaw be given up. These and innumerable other rumors were flying about, and it was not long before the prisoner heard the news. Colonel Dunwoody, knowing the facts of the case, was serene as to the result, and was more than glad to give the prisoner up. “I could never win that lovely girl by offering her the hand in marriage which had signed the death-sentence of her brother, for whom her love is almost idolatrous,” he said to himself. Then, as he had heard the various rumors afloat, he mused with a smile: “How little it takes to start a lie upon its rounds. A letter from the general and this requisition from the Governor of Illinois, was all there was to cause a hundred idle tales to be set afloat. Well, I shall be glad when the prisoner is off my hands, and I trust he will be hanged---- Well, orderly?” “The prisoner, sir, Silk Lasso Sam, requests an interview with you, colonel.” “Indeed? I suppose he has already been posted as to what is going on. It is as hard to keep a State secret as it is to find out a woman’s exact age. Say that I will come to his cabin, orderly.” The orderly disappeared and soon after Colonel Dunwoody started for the prison of the outlaw. He passed Nina de Sutro on the way, and said: “You look pale, Miss Nina, and I was sorry to hear of your indisposition.” “It was of little consequence, colonel; but may I ask you if it is true that this outlaw is to be surrendered to the State of Illinois?” “It is true, Miss Nina.” “When does he go?” “On the next coach day.” “Then he will escape death?” “Here, at least, though, perhaps, he may be hanged by civil process of law.” “I thank you, sir,” and Nina passed on, while there flashed through her mind great joy at being relieved of having to carry out the bold plan she had formed for the rescue of the man. “I think they will hang him in Illinois, and he will hardly expect me to rescue him from the civil authorities. But I shall never feel at rest until his neck is stretched. I hope that he will attempt to escape on the way, and be shot by the guards.” The colonel, meanwhile, met, as he strolled along the bluffs, Clarice Carr. He stopped for a moment’s talk with her, and waited, supposing she would ask him, also, about the prisoner. But she did not. “Where is your curiosity, Miss Clarice?” he asked, with a smile. “I have no idle curiosity, colonel.”