The morning times., 1895-08-18

himself of the whereabouts of the missing
proprietors. Was he quite sure that
Colllnson would not revisit the spot
when he was gone. But he was equal TO
the emergency.
He had intended TO leave his horse with
Skinner as security for Collinson's pro-
visions, but SINNERS liberality had made
this unnecessary, and he offered IL to
Collinson to use and keep for him until
called for. This would enable his COM
panion to pack his goods on the mule,
and oblige him to return to the mill by the
wagon road and "outside trail," as more
commodious for two animals.
''Ye amt afeard o. the road gents?'
suggested a bystander; ''they swarm on
Gallope's Ridge, and they held up the
down stage only last week"
They're not so lively since the deputy
sheriff's got a new idea about them, and
have been lying low in the brush near
Bald Top" returned Skinner. Anyhow,
they don't stop teams nor packs, unless
there's a chance OF their getting some
fancy horseflesh by 1t, and | reckon thar
amt much to tempt them thar" he
added with a satirical side glance at
his customers cattle. But Key was al
1Cduy III Tile t1DIesS "dSOu,
giving q farewell shake to his patient
companions hand, and the inquiries pleas
antly passed unnoticed. Nevertheless, as
the express wagon rolled away his active
fancy caught at and disposed of this new
danger that might threaten the hidden
wealth OF his claim. But he reflected that
for time, at least, only the crude ore
would be taken out and shipped to Marys-
H.
the highwaymeD. Had it been a gold
mine! But here again was the interposi-
ton of Providencei
In five days Preble Key returned to Skin
ner's with a foreman and ten men and an
unlimited credit to draw upon at Marys-
vile. Expeditions of this kind created no
surprise at SINNERS. They had before
this entered the wilderness gayly, none
knew where or what for; the sedate and
silent works had kept their secret while
there; they had evaporated, none knew
when or where-often, alasl with an Un-
paid account at SINNERS. In a week
rambling shed of pine logs occupied the site
OF the mysterious ruins and contained the
party. In two weeks excavations had been
made and the whole face OF the outcrop was
exposed. In three weeks every yestige
OF former tenancy which the fire had not
consumed was trampled out by the alien
feet OF the toilers of the" Sylvan Silver Hol-
low Company" None ofKey's former COM
panOns would have recognized the hollow
in its blackened leveling and rocky founda-
ton. Even Collinson would, not have re-
membered this stripped rock and the heaps
OF debris as the place where he had over
taken Key And Key himself had forgotten
in his triumph everything but the chance ex-
pertinent that led to his success.
Perhaps it was wei, therefore, that one
night, when the darkness had mercifully
fallen upon the c.ene of sylvan desolation,
and more incongruous and unsayOry human
restoration and the low murmur Of the pines
occasionally swelled up from the still un-
scathed mountain side, a loud shout and the
trampling OF horses feet awOke the dwellers
in the shanty. Springing 10 their feet they
hurriedly seized their weapons and rushed
out, only TO he confronted by dark, notion
less ring of horsemen, two flaming torches
OF pine knots and a low but distinct voice
OF authority Even in their excitement,
haIf-wakened suspicion, and confusion it had
a singular note of calm preparation and
conscious power.
Drop those guns. Hold up your hands.
We've got you cornered!'
Key was no coward; the men, though flus-
tered, were not cravens, but they oheyed.
"Trot out your leader! Let him stand out
there clear, beside that torch!"
One of the flaming pine knots disengaged
itself from the dark circle and moved 10
the center as Preble Key, cool and con-
fident, stepped beside it.
That VIII do said the voice, unemotion-
ally. Now we want Joaquin Raymon,
Sydney Jack, French Pete, and Onc-eyed
Charley
vivid reminiscence of the former night
scene in the hollow of his own and his com
panions voices, and the Flash" in the
darkness flashed across Key. With an in
stinctive premonition, he said quietly:
who want them?"
THE State of California" said the voice.
THE State OF California must look
further" said Key in his old pleasant voice.
There are no such names among my party"
who are yOu?"
THE president OF the Sylvan Silver Hol-
low Company, and these are my workmen."
There was movement and sound OF whis-
pering in the hitherto dark and silent circle.
Then the voice rose again:
iOu hSiNO AliC BoESlo W pAO'C ~.
And In the cabin-and you?"
1--WE the warrant of the sheriff of
Sierra
tinued:
How long have you been here?"
Three weeks l came here the day of
the fire and took up this claim
There was no other house here?"
still 1t may have been a burned up cabin"
The voice disengaged itself from the
vague background and came slowly for
ward.
lit was a den of thieves 1t was thehid-
ing place of Joaquin Ramon and his gang
of road agents. I've been hunting this
spot for three weeks. And now it's all up"
There's was a laugh from Keys men, but
it was checked as the owner of the voice
slowly ranged up beside the burning torch
and they saw his face. Itwas drawn aud
grim with the defeat of brave man.
Wont you come in aud take some
tbing?" said Key, kindly.
mo. I'm sorry to have disturbed ye
as it is But l suppose it's all i'll the days
work Good night. Forward there, getv'
The two torches danced forward with
the tracing of dim shadows in dim process
sion; there was a clatter over the rocks and
they were gone. And as Key gaZed after
them he felt that with them had passed
the only shadow that lay upon his great
future. With the last tenant of the hollow
q prescribed outlaw and fugitive he was
henCeforth forever safe in his claim and his
discovery And yet odGly enough at that
moment, for the first time i'll three weeks,
there passed before his fancy with a stirring