“Why, colonel, that could have been no one else than Nina de Sutro, for she borrowed that red sombrero as a pattern for some embroidery for one for herself, and on that day, while Mrs. De Sutro has a dress the counterpart of the one Clarice often wears.” “Miss Clarice, you and Miss De Sutro are about the same size, I believe?” said the colonel. “I have nothing whatever to say, Colonel Dunwoody, for I have told you that I made no second visit to the prisoner, Silk Lasso Sam.” “I hope you will pardon me, Miss Clarice, for the annoyance I have been compelled to give you.” “There is no need to ask my pardon, colonel, for you have not offended and have done no wrong. I can well understand your position, sir, and I have no feeling whatever in the matter, other than to regret that I have been imposed upon.” “As I regret it. Miss Clarice, and I assure you that Captain Franklin, the sergeant, corporal, and sentinel shall at once be made acquainted with the fact that the visitor to Silk Lasso Sam was not yourself.” After a short visit the major and the ladies left the headquarters, and, putting on his hat, Colonel Dunwoody directed his steps to the home of Lieutenant-Colonel De Sutro. He asked to see Miss De Sutro, and Nina soon entered the room, looking very pretty in a morning-dress. “This is an honor I appreciate, Colonel Dunwoody, a morning call from you,” she said in her sweet way. “Perhaps, Miss De Sutro, you will appreciate it less when I ask you why you have been visiting the prisoner, Silk Lasso Sam, without permission, and masquerading to the detriment of another lady to do so?” The colonel’s voice was strangely stern, and Nina de Sutro had never seen so severe an expression upon his face. She paled and flushed by turns, and it was full a quarter of a minute before she replied. Then she put on a look of injured innocence, and said in a tearful voice: “Oh, Colonel Dunwoody, you are angry with me, and when I meant to do no harm. I only wished to see that poor desperate man again and bid him farewell, and see if I could not do him only a little act of kindness. I had just been given by Mrs. De Sutro the dress so like Miss Carr’s, and which was too small for her, and I put on the red sombrero Clarice wears, and wore them without thinking of the harm they might do.” “And yet you spoke of yourself as Miss Carr?” “Those who saw me called me Miss Carr, and, being veiled, I carried out the joke. I am so very sorry, and I will go at once to Miss Carr and beg her pardon, while I will do all in my power to make amends for my wrong-doing.” “Then see Captain Franklin also, Miss De Sutro, and explain the affair to him, as also to the sergeant, corporal, and sentinel.” “How can I do this, sir?” “I cannot advise you, Miss De Sutro, and I believe you are clever enough to extricate yourself from this position without further advice from me, and also to save Miss Carr from being misunderstood.”