"How long has he been in the penitentiary?"

"Seven years." Then, miserably, she added: "He was weak and fell into
bad company. They led him into it."

"When did he escape?"

"Two days ago. Last night he knocked at my window-- at the window of
the room where I lodge in Fort Lincoln. I had not heard of his escape,
but I took him in. There were horses in the barn. One of them was
mine. I saddled, and after I had dressed his wound we started. He
couldn't get any farther than this."

"Do you live in Fort Lincoln?"

"I came there to teach school. My home was in Wisconsin before."

"You came out here to be near him?"

"Yes. That is, near as I could get a school. I was to have got in the
Tucson schools next year. That's much nearer."

"You visited him at the penitentiary?"

"No. I was going to during the Thanksgiving vacation. Until last night
I had not seen him since he left home. I was a child of seven then."

The Texan looked down at the ruffian under his feet.