Harry's method,
and he repudiated it as unmanly and unsportsmanlike; and that, by using
his superior skill and knowledge of the locality to recover the money
and deliver the culprit into the company's hands, he would not only earn
the reward that they should offer, but that he would evoke a sentiment
that all Californians would understand and respect. The highwayman
listened with a tolerant smile, but, to Brice's surprise, this appeal
to his vanity touched him less than the prospective punishment of the
thief.

"It would serve the d----d hound right," he muttered, "if, instead of
being shot like a man, he was made to 'do time' in prison, like the
ordinary sneak thief that he is." When Brice had concluded, he said
briefly, "The only trouble with your plans, my young friend, is that
about twenty-five men have got to consider them, and have THEIR say
about it. Every man in my gang is a shareholder in these greenbacks, for
I work on the square; and it's for him to say whether he'll give them up
for a reward and the good opinion of the express company. Perhaps," he
went on, with a peculiar smile, "it's just as well that you tried it on
me first! However, I'll sound the boys, and see what comes of it, but
not until you're safe off the premises."

"And you'll let me assist you?" said Brice eagerly.

Snapshot Harry smiled again. "Well, if you come across the d----d thief,
and you recognize him and can get the greenbacks from him, I'll pass
over the game to you." He rose and added, apparently by way of farewell,
"Perhaps it's just as well that I should give you a guide part of the
way to prevent accidents." He went to a door leading to an adjoining
room, and called "Flo!"

Brice's heart leaped! If he had forgotten her in the excitement of his
interview, he atoned for it by a vivid blush. Her own color was a little
heightened as she slipped into the room, but the two managed to look
demurely at each other, without a word of recognition.

"This is my niece, Flora," said Snapshot Harry, with a slight wave of
the hand that was by no means uncourtly, "and her company will keep you
from any impertinent questioning as well as if I were with you. This is
Mr. Brice, Flo, who came to see me on business, and has quite forgotten
my practical joking."

The girl acknowledged Brice's bow with a shyness very different from
her manner of the evening before. Brice felt embarrassed and evidently
showed it, for his host, with a smile, put a