Even in my growing anxiety, I was conscious of the faithfulness
that this poor girl had displayed— this ragged child who had stood
in the storm all night long on the Bedford road to intercept the
Indian. Faithful, indeed! For, having missed him, she had made her
way here on foot merely to tell me that she could not keep her word
to me.
"Has the Sagamore spoken with Colonel Sheldon?" I asked
gently.
"I do not know."
"Will you tarry here till I return?"
"Have you further use of me, Mr. Loskiel'"
Her direct simplicity checked me. After all, now that she had
done her errand, what further use had I for her? I did not even
know why I had asked her to tarry here until my return; and
searched my mind seeking the reason. For it must have been that I
had some good reason in my mind.
