been affixed, and, ten minutes later, Sam was
with them, looking radiantly happy at being in the open air once more.

It was too late to return home, unless Joe and Fred were willing to take
another tramp across the mountain, and all three went to the hotel,
where they formed a very jolly party.

On the first train next morning the partners, accompanied by Mr. Hunter,
arrived at Farley's, and found public sentiment greatly changed. The
flight of Gus had caused very many to believe he really was the guilty
party, although no one could guess how he gained possession of the
money, and the walk to Mrs. Byram's was something like an ovation.

CHAPTER XXIX

A QUESTION OF TITLE

It was as if each person who had doubted Sam's honesty felt it necessary
to call at Mrs. Byram's and congratulate him upon what now appeared to
be good proof of his innocence.

Fred and the miners also came in for their share of attention, and even
Bill, whose limb was paining him severely, joined his partners in
celebrating their victory, which now seemed certain.

Before returning home Mr. Hunter called to consult with his clients
relative to making a stock company of the new mine, and, when he left,
it was with full authority to do whatever he believed their interests
demanded.

Among the visitors in the evening was Donovan, and he had no hesitation
in calling himself very severe names for having been so stupid as to
think it possible his old friends could have been engaged in any
questionable transaction.

"The cashier is about as sore a man as can be found in town," he said,
"an' if I ain't way off in my reckonin' he'll be lookin' for another job
mighty soon."

"Does he say anything against us?" Bill asked.

"He's glum as a fish. Every feller who goes in wants to know where Gus
is, an' he keeps out of sight all that's possible."

"Have you seen Mr. Wright to-day?"

"No; but I heard he an' that lawyer of yours had a long chin about the
business. Say, Bill, by the time you get out of this scrape you'll owe
a pretty penny for law, I reckon. Why don't you try to make the company
pay it?"

"We can stand the racket, an' won't ask a soul to help us."

"Somebody must have died an' left you a pile, for men that work at
Farley's don't often have enough to pay big lawyers for runnin' around."

"It'll be all right, Donovan, so don't worry about that."

But the mine boss did worry. He failed to understand how Bill and Joe
could in