s asleep. To obtain time
to form a plan, he parleyed a little.

"You want my money?" he asked, appearing to be confused.

"Yes--and at once! Refuse, and I will kill you!"

I won't pretend to deny that Joe's heart beat a little quicker than
its wont. He was thinking busily. How could he attract Watson's
attention?

"It's pretty hard, but I suppose I must," he answered.

"That's the way to talk."

"Let me get up and I'll get it."

Joe spoke so naturally that Rafferty suspected nothing. He permitted
our hero to rise, supposing that he was going for the money he
demanded.

Joe knew exactly where Watson lay and went over to him. He knelt
down and drew out the revolver from beneath his head, at the same
time pushing him, in the hope of arousing him. The push was
effectual. Watson was a man whose experience at the mines had taught
him to rouse at once. He just heard Joe say:

"Hush!"

"What are you so long about?" demanded Rafferty suspiciously.

"I've got a revolver," said Joe unexpectedly; "and, if you don't
leave the room, I'll fire!"

With an oath, Rafferty, who was no coward, sprang upon Joe, and it
would have gone hard with him but for Watson. The latter was now
broad awake. He seized Rafferty by the collar, and, dashing him
backward upon the floor, threw himself upon him.

"Two can play at that game!" said he. "Light the candle, Joe."

"Help, pard!" called Rafferty.

But Hogan, on whom he called, suspecting how matters stood, was in
full flight.

The candle was lighted, and in the struggling ruffian Joe recognized
the man who, three months before, had robbed him of his little all.

CHAPTER XXIII

NOT WHOLLY BLACK

"I know this man, Mr. Watson," said Joe.

"Who is he?"

"He is the same man who robbed me of my money one night about three
months ago--the one I told you of."

For the first time, Rafferty recognized Joe.

"There wasn't enough to make a fuss about," he said. "There was only
two dollars and a half."

"It was all I had."

"Let me up!" said Rafferty, renewing his struggles.

"Joe, have you got a rope?" asked Watson.

"Yes."

"Bring it here, then. I can't hold this man all night."

"What are you going to do with me?" demanded Rafferty uneasily.

"Tie you hand and foot till to-morrow morning and then deliver you
over to the authorities."

"No, you won't!"

He made a renewed struggle, but Watson was a man with muscles of
iron, and the attempt was uns