第17章

They are all worked up, and keen for a chance to prove that they are braves in more than in name.You give them the very opportunity you wish to avoid.Now hear my plan," she continued, her voice eager, keen, hard, in the intensity of her purpose."I ride into camp to-morrow morning to see the sick boy.I promised I would and I really want to.I find him in a fever, for a fever he certainly will have.I dress his wounded ankle and discover he must have some medicine.I get old Copperhead to ride back with me for it.You wait here and arrest him without trouble."The two men looked at each other, then at her, with a gentle admiring pity.The plan was simplicity itself and undoubtedly eliminated the elements of danger which the Inspector's possessed.

It had, however, one fatal defect.

"Fine, Mandy!" said her husband, reaching across the table and patting her hand that lay clenched upon the cloth."But it won't do.""And why not, pray?" she demanded.

"We do not use our women as decoys in this country, nor do we expose them to dangers we men dare not face.""Allan," cried his wife with angry impatience, "you miss the whole point.For a woman to ride into the Piegan camp, especially on this errand of mercy, involves her in no danger.And what possible danger would there be in having the old villain ride back with me for medicine? And as to the decoy business," here she shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, "do you think I care a bit for that?

Isn't he planning to kill women and children in this country? And--and--won't he do his best to kill you?" she panted."Isn't it right for me to prevent him? Prevent him! To me he is like a snake.I would--would--gladly kill him--myself." As she spoke these words her eyes were indeed, in Sergeant Ferry's words, "like little blue flames."But the men remained utterly unmoved.To their manhood the plan was repugnant, and in spite of Mandy's arguments and entreaties was rejected.

"It is the better plan, Mrs.Cameron," said the Inspector kindly, "but we cannot, you must see we cannot, adopt it.""You mean you will not," cried Mandy indignantly, "just because you are stupid stubborn men!" And she proceeded to argue the matter all over again with convincing logic, but with the same result.

There are propositions which do not lend themselves to the arbitrament of logic with men.When the safety of their women is at stake they refuse to discuss chances.In such a case they may be stupid, but they are quite immovable.

Blocked by this immovable stupidity, Mandy yielded her ground, but only to attempt a flank movement.

"Let me go with you on your reconnoitering expedition," she pleaded."Rather, let US go, Allan, you and I together, to see the boy.I am really sorry for that boy.He can't help his father, can he?""Quite true," said the Inspector gravely.

"Let us go and find out all we can and next day make your attempt.

Besides, Allan," she cried under a sudden inspiration of memory, "you can't possibly go.You forget your sister arrives at Calgary this week.You must meet her.""By Jove! Is that so? I had forgotten," said Cameron, turning to study the calendar on the wall, a gorgeous work of art produced out of the surplus revenues of a Life Insurance Company."Let's see,"he calculated."This week? Three days will take us in.We are still all right.We have five.That gives us two days clear for this job.I feel like making this try, Mandy," he continued earnestly."We have this chap practically within our grasp.He will be off guard.The Piegans are not yet worked up to the point of resistance.Ten days from now our man may be we can't tell where."Mandy remained silent.The ritual of her sacrifice was not yet complete.