Vigilante Committee in the Plaza,
as they put up all dangerous characters for the police and the people to
see.

"And whilst he was there you passed, walking with another man, and
looked him in the eyes and knew him not. 'Twas that which broke his
heart and made him the reckless and brilliant devil that he is today."

"But--but," cried the Singer-Lady, recovering from the daze these words
had placed upon her, "I did not pass. Oh, I should have fallen at his
feet--lost to all maidenly reserve--there before the people. It must
have been my sister, who had but lately come from Boston and so would
not know him," and she broke into uncontrollable weeping.

"There, child, dry your tears. Try to be brave. You care for him still?"

"Always. I have never ceased to pray for him. If I cannot become his, I
shall go lonely to my grave. Tell me everything, kind Mrs. Miller."

"He robs the stages of the Wells-Fargo box, but lets the passengers go
free, and he has never been known to take anything from a woman. He says
that since all the world is against him, his hand is against the world.

"His den is now at Folsom, they say, but he ranges far afield. He robs
the sluices, and the bullion trains, but he does not take horses or
mules except to get away with his booty. No cell can hold him. He has
escaped from every jail in the northern mines. He has been known to say,
'I shall never rot in a prison as long as a revolver can keep me out."'

"Oh, would he--"

"He would, indeed, Dearie, for the sake of his family name and the love
he bears you. His last big raid was upon George Barstow's Wells-Fargo
train from Yreka. They held them up on Trinity Mountain. Eighty thousand
dollars in bullion, they got, even with twenty men guarding it."

Mrs. Miller tiptoed to the window and looked out. Coming back to the
girl she whispered, "The guards are tied to trees, and the gang is
waiting for Dick and Cy Skinner to get back with new mules, as the
Wells-Fargo mules all are branded and would give them away, but if he
finds out that you are here he may--"

The Singer-Lady sprang to her feet! From the trees behind the house
floated a snatch of song in a clear baritone.

"When coldness or deceit shall slight the beauty now they prize; When
hollow hearts shall wear a mask, 'twill break your own to see. At such a
moment I but ask that you'll remember me, you'll--"

By this time the girl was sobbing in Dick's arms, and the
misunderstandings of fo