in that city, without a dollar, and requesting me to send
for his trunks at Chicago, promising to repay me at an early day. I did
not understand this proceeding, particularly as after writing this
letter, he gave me twenty dollars, to pay for having his trunks sent to
Des Moines, and requested me to allow them to remain in my house until
he should send for them. That this letter was intended to mislead some
one, I have no doubt; but I was at a loss to understand how it could
succeed in its purpose if I retained possession of it. At his request
then I inclosed his letter to me to the landlady at Chicago, and I know
nothing further about it except that Duncan's trunks arrived to-day and
are now in my house, awaiting his disposition."

"How long did Duncan remain in town at that time?" asked Manning.

"I think he left the next day," replied Mr. Miller. "He left my house on
the following morning at any rate, and I learned afterward that he went
away with an old friend of his, who is a brakeman on one of the roads
here, on the same day that he left my house."

"Do you know who the man was that he went away with?" now asked Mr.
Wallace.

"Yes; his name is Bob King, and if I am not mistaken, King obtained a
leave of absence from the railroad company for a few days in order to go
with Duncan. They hired a horse and carriage and started off in the
direction of Grand Junction. King was absent several days, and then
returned with the team, stating that Duncan had gone west. I thought
this very strange, as, if he had ran away from Leadville, it would
certainly be very unwise for him to return. However, I heard no more
about him, but I have seen Bob King frequently. He comes in several
times a week, and you can most likely find him about some of the
boarding-houses around the Union Depot."

This was all that could be gained from Mr. Miller, and after receiving
that gentleman's promise to inform Mr. Wallace, in case he should hear
anything of Duncan, the two men took their leave of the accommodating
and loquacious grocer.

Leaving the chief at his office, Manning resolved to pay a visit to the
residence of Duncan's parents. Not, however, to make himself known or to
institute any inquiries; but to quietly watch from the outside whatever
was transpiring within. He found the house to be a large frame dwelling,
with extensive grounds surrounding it; everything evinced the utmost
refinement and good taste, and it was evidently the