been able to accomplish this much of the journey, save for the
continual help of Ephraim, who was himself burdened with the heavy
pack and unwilling to relinquish it.

John stepped down and swung his fellow ranchman up to Moses' back;
then placed the bundle before the rider, turned the animal's head
toward Sobrante, and chirruped:

"Giddap! Home's the word!"

Moses needed no second urging, but was off at a gallop, leaving the
others to discuss the situation a bit further, and Ephraim to follow
at his leisure.

There was little more to be said, however, and soon each was pursuing
diverging routes and each at his swiftest pace.

At Marion, John had the mail pouch unlocked and examined, and was
satisfied that some letters had been tampered with. These contained
orders for house supplies and had been accompanied by checks, as was
evident from the wording of the orders. The checks had been removed,
and this fact proved to the carpenter that the hand of Antonio Bernal
was in the matter, because the late manager might indorse them without
arousing the bank's suspicion, as nobody else could.

Yet there was one thing he did not mention, even to the postmaster;
and that was the package which Jessica's letter to Ninian Sharp had
spoken of. This had disappeared entirely. The fact troubled him more
than the loss of the checks, for he could stop the payment of these,
but whether the little captain had sent the whole of their only
specimen of the copper to her city friend or not was a serious
question.

However, he did what he could; and almost for the first time in his
life used the telegraph as well as the post. To pay for his long and
rather ambiguous messages he borrowed money of the mystified Aleck
McLeod; and the local operator found himself busier than he had ever
been since the establishment of the office.

The other sad business that had brought him to the town was also
transacted; and by the time all was arranged John was very glad to
avail himself of Jean's services, slow though she was. Upon her sedate
back he arrived at Sobrante, just as the sun was setting, and found
that the household had temporarily forgotten their grief for Pedro in
their rejoicing over Ephraim.

"It's an up and a down in this world," quoth Aunt Sally, spreading and
admiring the brilliant bits of calico which "Forty-niner" had given
her. "Life ain't all catnip anyway you stew it. Them that laugh in the
morning gen'ally cry before night, an