He could see by the lights flaring along the harbor that the castle was in an isolated position and easy of attack.
From what Strang's wife had told him and the evidences of panic in the chambers of the harem he believed that the Mormon king had abandoned the castle to its fate and that the approaching conflict would center about the temple.
Was Marion at the temple?
If so he realized that she was beyond his reach.

But the woman had said that she was not there.

Where could she have gone?
Why had not Strang taken her with his wives?
In a flash Nathaniel thought of Arbor Croche and Obadiah--the two men who always knew what the king was doing.

If he could find the sheriff alone--if he could only nurse Obadiah back into sane life again! He thrust his pistol into its holster.

There was but one thing for him to do and that was to return to the old councilor.