ulted in the Arcade Saloon in
Sacramento. You would have been killed, but your assailant suddenly fell
dead by a pistol-shot fired from some unknown hand. I stood twenty feet
from you with folded arms; but that shot was fired by me,--me, Henry
Pritchard,--through my clothes, from a derringer hidden in my waistcoat!
Understand me, I do not ask your gratitude now. But that pistol is in my
right hand, and now covers you. Make a single motion,--of a muscle,--and
it is your last.

Pritchard (motionless, but excitedly). You dare not fire! No, dare not!
A shot here will bring my pal and Sandy Morton to confront you. You will
have killed me to save exposure, have added murder to imposture! You
have no witness to this attempt!

Capper (opening door of room L., at the same moment that two policemen
appear at door C., and two at room R). You are wrong: he has five
(crossing to SILKY and SOAPY, and laying his hands on their shoulders);
and, if I mistake not, he has two more in these gentlemen, whom I
know, and who will be quite as willing to furnish the necessary State's
evidence of the robbery, as of the fact that they never knew any other
Alexander Morton than the gentleman who sits in that chair.

Soapy. That's so, Silky.

Silky. That's so, Soapy.

Capper (to policemen). Take them away.

[Exit policemen with PRITCHARD, SOAPY, and SILKY. CAPPER unbinds
OAKHURST.

Oakhurst. Then I have to thank you, Mr. C.

Capper. Yes! "A man of ridiculous theories, but well-meaning, brave, and
honest." No, sir; don't apologize: you were right, Mr. Oakhurst. It is
I who owe you an apology. I came here, believing YOU were the
robber, having no faith in you or your reformation, expecting,--yes,
sir,--hoping, to detect you in the act. Hear me! From the hour you first
entered the bank, I have shadowed your every movement, I have been the
silent witness of all that has passed in this room. You have played a
desperate game, Mr. Oakhurst; but I'll see you through it. If you are
true to your resolve, for the next six days, I will hold these wretches
silent. I will protect your imposture with the strong arm of the law. I
don't like YOUR theories, sir; but I believe you to be well-meaning, and
I know you to be brave and honest.

Oakhurst (grasping his hand). I shall not forget this. But Sandy--

Capper. I will put my men on his track, and have him brought quietly
here. I can give you no aid beyond that. As an honorable man, I need not
tell you