And it wasn't for any
half-breed girl."
He took a sheet of folded parchment from an inner pocket, and settling
more deeply in the chair, smoothed it open against his thigh. "I have
here a list, names and numbers. It was brought to me yesterday, along
with more detailed information, concerning the prisoners still at
large---thankfully, very few. I think you will find our information
quite thorough and up to date. Now I know not only the men who hail
from this country---and are therefore likely to return---but also the
friends they kept in the stockade, and the smaller groups they split
into after the escape.
"You heard me tell my Lieutenant to brand the number 406 on our dead
comrade's body---though I warn you, I may still use it to incriminate
your niece. Why that particular number? I will tell you. It is the
number of one of the men decidedly traced to this area: the companion,
protector, and...could it be...the cousin
of our heroic James Talbert? Are we coming nearer the mark, Mrs.
Scott? You look quiet pale; would you like to sit down?"
"I will stand," she said desperately, trying to prepare herself
against the coming blow.
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