ut the time 's not ripe yet, Harry, to spring it. We 've got to find
out more about Rodaine first and what other tricks he 's been up to.
And we 've got to get other evidence than merely our own word. For
instance, in this case, you can't remember anything. All the testimony
I could give would be unsupported. They 'd run me out of town if I
even tried to start any such accusation. But one thing 's certain: We
're on the open road at last, we know who we 're fighting and the
weapons he fights with. And if we 're only given enough time, we 'll
whip him. I 'm going home to bed now; I 've got to be up early in the
morning and get hold of Farrell. Your case comes up at court."

"And I 'm up in a 'ospital!"

Which fact the court the next morning recognized, on the testimony of
the interne, the physician and the day nurses of the hospital, to the
extent of a continuance until the January term in the trial of the
case. A thing which the court further recognized was the substitution
of five thousand dollars in cash for the deeds of the Blue Poppy mine
as security for the bailee. And with this done, the deeds to his mine
safe in his pocket, Fairchild went to the bank, placed the papers
behind the great steel gates of the safety deposit vault, and then
crossed the street to the telegraph office. A long message was the
result, and a money order to Denver that ran beyond a hundred dollars.
The instructions that went with it to the biggest florist in town were
for the most elaborate floral design possible to be sent by express for
Judge Richmond's funeral--minus a card denoting the sender. Following
this, Fairchild returned to the hospital, only to find Mother Howard
taking his place beside the bed of Harry. One more place called for
his attention,--the mine.

The feverish work was over now. The day and night shifts no longer
were needed until Harry and Fairchild could actively assume control of
operations and themselves dig out the wealth to put in the improvements
necessary to procure the compressed air and machine drills, and
organize the working of the mine upon the scale which its value
demanded. But there was one thing essential, and Fairchild procured
it,--guards. Then he turned his attention to his giant partner.

Health returned slowly to the big Cornishman. The effects of nearly a
week of slow poisoning left his system grudgingly; it would be a matter
of weeks before he could be the genial, strong giant