have a talk
with Sam."

There was no trouble about getting legal advice, and in the company of a
kindly-faced gentleman the party were ushered into the jail where Sam,
in the lowest depths of despair, was found.

"Oh, I'm so glad you've come!" he cried, seizing Fred by both hands. "It
has been terrible here."

"Don't be downhearted, lad," Bill said, with an attempt at cheerfulness.
"We'll stick by you no matter what happens."

"I want you to tell me the whole story," the lawyer interrupted.
"Describe every little particular of the journey."

"There isn't much to tell. I got the money, an' walked as fast as I
could to a place on the mountain, where I laid down to rest, an' fell
asleep. When I woke up the package was gone."

"Did you see anyone who might be following you?"

"No sir."

"Whom did you meet after leaving the town?"

"Not a single person."

"Are you certain the money was in your pocket when you laid down?"

"I felt of it a little while before that."

The lawyer continued to question Sam for a long while, but without
gaining any new information, and even the boy's friends were forced to
admit that the story was a strange one.

"I'd say it was thin if I didn't know Sam so well," Bill mused as the
party left the jail after promising the prisoner they would return at
the earliest opportunity.

"The boy couldn't 'a took the money, that's certain; but how he
contrived to get rid of it beats me."

"It is possible we may learn something to our advantage before the trial
can be held," the lawyer suggested in a tone which to Fred sounded the
reverse of cheerful; "but I think it very important you should see Mr.
Wright without delay."

"Joe shall go to New York."

"How could I find him there?"

"Fred and me'll get right back to Farley's, ask for his address, an'
send it to you by telegraph."

"That is a very good idea. A train leaves in less than an hour," the
lawyer said approvingly. "Decide where the message shall be sent, and it
will be there before he arrives."

Joe was unwilling to take so much responsibility upon himself, and urged
that he did not look fit to visit the city; but Bill overruled all his
objections.

"You're the one to go, so that settles it," the miner said as he pulled
out his wallet. "Here's what money I've got, an' if more's needed let me
know."

"What am I to say to the superintendent if I see him?"

"Urge that no further steps be taken against the boy. After what