stood, deep in thought, the face of his patient friend
rose before him.

"I don't mind going to smash for myself, in a good, hard fight,"
Reade went on audibly. "But it seems a crime to drag Harry down
to poverty with me. If I could only get him to go away I'd give
up my own life, if need be, to prove what's under our ridge of
Nevada dirt."

"Ye'll give up your life for less'n that, I reckon!" sounded
another voice, close at hand.

Around a boulder Dolph Gage stepped into view, followed by two of
his men.

CHAPTER XVI

THE MAN WHO MADE GOOD

"Good evening, Gage," Tom responded pleasantly, after a slight
start of alarm. "What brings you in this section again?"

"Wanter know?" sneered Gage, while his companions scowled.

"That was my object in inquiring," Tom smiled.

"We're hiding---that's what we're doing here," Gage volunteered
harshly, though he spoke in a low voice.

"Hiding here---with the officers looking for you?"

"Well, what could be a safer place than right where we're wanted?"
demanded Dolph. "The officers are scouring other counties for
us, and they have handbills up offering rewards for us. Right
here, overlooking your claim, they'd never think of looking for
men who have a price set on their capture."

"Well, you needn't be afraid of me," offered Reade, with mock
generosity. "I'm short of money, but I'm not looking for blood
money. You had better travel fast from here. I'll give you until
daylight before I send word to the law's officers."

"Daylight? You'll never see daylight again," Gage retorted.
"You will be lying here, looking up at the stars, but you won't
see anything!"

"Your words have a mysterious ring to them," laughed Tom.

He wasn't in any doubt as to what the rascals meant to do with
him. It was a rule with Tom Reade, however, that he wasn't dead
until he had actually been killed. Even while he spoke so lightly,
Tom, through his half-closed eyes, was taking in every detail
of the situation.

None of the trio had yet drawn their weapons, though all wore
them in plain sight. If they started to draw their pistols Tom
decided that he would leap forward holding to Gage, kicking one
of the latter's companions so as to render the fellow helpless,
and----

"But the third man will get me with his pistol," Tom decided.
"That is, unless they become flustered when I show fight. It's
a slim chance for me---a mighty slim chance, but I'll do my best
as soon as t