, you're dead wrong. That girl is as innocent as
you are."

"Sure! The judge just sent me up for snatching a purse, you know."

"I tell you that girl knew nothing about the hold-up."

"It must have happened after you left California, or you wouldn't be so
sure. I'll tell you about it. Stage comes down from Moore's Flat. Mamie
Slocum talks and laughs with Will Cummins. Sees where he stows his old
leather grip. Sings out to the robbers, 'That's Mr. Cummins' valise
under the seat there.'"

"That's a lie, and you are a fool to believe it!"

"I'm telling you the facts."

"The facts! Why, man, wasn't I there? And don't I know just what
happened?"

Astonished at this outburst, O'Leary looked hard at Collins. There was
no mistaking his earnestness; and he only leered at the other's
astonishment. O'Leary was discreet enough to say no more; and Collins
seemed to think his secret safe enough in the keeping of an old pal two
thousand miles from the scene of the murder. But that very night O'Leary
telegraphed to Sheriff Carter of Nevada City:

"Man who killed Cummins in jail here. Come at once.

Pat O'Leary."

John Keeler and Henry Francis happened to be at the railroad station the
next morning, when Carter started for St. Louis; and he showed them the
telegram.

"When thieves fall out," remarked Keeler; and Francis winced. Was it
because he foresaw that the ten thousand dollar reward would be claimed?
or was it for some other reason? Keeler wondered.

CHAPTER XVII

Brought To Justice

There was no serious doubt in Sheriff Carter's mind as to the importance
of O'Leary's telegram. He hoped that the murder of Will Cummins was, at
last, to be avenged; and, as he had admired and loved that chivalrous
man, he resolved to use every means in his power to bring the murderers
to justice. But he realized what a difficult task it would be to get
them hanged.

There was a strong sentiment in California against capital punishment.
There seemed to be little objection to murder committed by private
citizens, but people raised their hands in horror at what they were
pleased to call judicial murder. What right has the State to take so
precious a thing as human life, even though the life be that of a
hardened criminal? Carter was sick at heart. He had watched the most
depraved characters, fed and clothed and guarded at the public expense,
spend their days in shame and utter uselessness. It would have been a
mer