e it my
business to ascertain what evidence there is against him."

"I'll go for Bill now," and Joe left the office, after having been again
assured by the lawyer that the transfer of the property would be
attended to without delay.

The miner prepared for his walk by buying a small stock of provisions,
and then he set off in the direction of the mountain, believing it would
be possible to find his mate with but little difficulty.

An hour's tramp brought him to the famous vein on which he had already
built many air-castles; but neither Bill nor Fred could be seen.

Satisfying himself that there were no strangers in the vicinity he
called them loudly by name; but without receiving any reply.

Then he trudged on around the mountain, shouting alternately for one and
the other, until afar off in the distance it seemed as if an answering
hail could be heard.

Now he ran with all speed in that direction, and soon he heard Bill's
voice crying:

"Joe! Is it you, Joe?"

"Indeed it is, my hearty. Where are you?"

"Here in the bushes with what come mighty nigh bein' a broken leg."

Joe was soon by the side of his mate, whom he found lying on the ground
apparently in the last stages of exhaustion.

"What's the matter, old man? Are you hurt?"

Bill told of what he and Fred had seen, and about the proposed chase,
concluding by saying:

"When the little villains started around the mountain I follered, as the
boy an' me had agreed on; but after a two-hour's tramp I fell into a
hole, an' reckon my leg is broke."

"I don't see any hole," Joe said, as he looked about him.

"It happened a long bit back. I didn't want to break up the game by
lettin' Fred know what was wrong, an' so tried to crawl toward the vein,
thinkin' if folks were sent out to look for the money they'd find me;
but this is as far as I could get. It would 'a been a case of starvin'
if you hadn't come along."

"If you're hungry I can fix that part of it all right," and Joe produced
the package of provisions. "Have a good time with this while I take a
look at the leg."

Only the most superficial examination was necessary. The broken bones
could be plainly felt, and the limb was so swollen that it seemed
essential, that the boot and trousers should be cut from it.

"I don't see my way clear in this job," Joe exclaimed, as he removed the
garments. "It ain't safe to leave you here alone, an' yet help must be
had to carry you to Farley's."

"Now that