:

"Mr. Pawnee Brown."

"Ha!" Vorlange's eyes gleamed, and the girl felt certain she had made a
mistake.

"Where is Pawnee Brown now?"

"I left him in the cave with the Indian. I expected him to follow me."

"I see. And what may your name be?"

The man's words were fair enough, but Nellie did not like his manner at
all, so she turned upon him coldly.

"And what is your name, and who are you?"

"I am not here to answer questions, miss. I am a government official,
let that be enough for you to know."

As he spoke Louis Vorlange caught Nellie by the arm.

"Let go of me," cried the frightened girl, and attempted to pull away,
but Vorlange held her tight.

"You come along with me. No one, and especially Pawnee Brown, has any
right in this territory just now, and it is my business to see that all
such people are kept out. I presume you belong to that crowd of boomers,
since you say you were carried off from Arkansas City?"

"I shall answer no more of your questions, sir. Let me go!"

"You'll come along with me," muttered Vorlange. "I take it you know
what the boomers intend to do, and, if that is so, your information is
just what the government wants."

So speaking he attempted to drag Nellie up the rocks to the opening
before mentioned. The girl resisted with all of her strength, and
Vorlange received a box on the left ear which made that member of his
body hum for a long time after.

"You little wretch!" he cried, as he caught her up in his arms. "I will
get square with you for that."

"You are no gentleman! Let me go!" replied Nellie. Then she attempted to
scream, but he promptly clapped his hand over her mouth.

In another moment, despite her utmost struggles, he was carrying her up
to the opening. This spot once reached, he took her inside and over to a
well-like hole upon one side.

"Do you see that hole?" he said sternly. "I am going to put you in that
for the present, for safe keeping. I call it my prison cell, and no cell
could be better. It is not a cheerful place, but you will be as safe
there as in the best prison in Chicago or San Francisco. I'll be back
for you soon, and in the meantime you had better make no attempt to
escape, for at the mouth of this opening is set a gun, with a wire
attachment, which may blow you up."

This latter statement was a false one, but Vorlange rightfully
calculated that it would have its due effect upon the frightened girl.

Having thus intimidated Nellie,