The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-18

ly, none knew where or what for;
the sedate and silent works had Kept
their secret while there; =zhey had
where-often. alas! with an unpaid ac-
count at SINNERS. In week a ranb-
ling 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 out
crop was exposed. In three weeks every
Vestige of former tenancy which the fire
had not consumed was trampled out by
the alien feet of the toilerS of the 'Syl-
van Silver Hollow Company" None of
Keys former companions would have
recognized the hollow in it's blackened
levelling and rocky foundation. Even
Collinson would not have remembered
this stripped rock and the heaps of deb
Key. And Key himself had forgotten
in his triumph everything but the chance
experiment that led to his success.
Perhaps it was well, therefore, that
fully fallen upon the scene of sylvan
desolation, and more homogeneous and I'M
savory human restoration, and the low
murmur of the pines occasionally
mountain side, a loud Shout and the
trampling of horses feet awoke the dwell
lers in the shanty. Springing to their
feet they hurriedly seized their weapons
and rushed out, only to be confronted by
a dark, motionleSs ring of horsemen, two
flaming torches of pine knots, and low
DuL Q1SIlnCU voice OF duIn0rlIy. Even III
their excitement, half-wakened suspic-
ion, 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
flustered, were not cravens. but they
obeyed.
out there clear, beside that torchr'
One of the flaming pine knots olsen
gagged itself from the dark circle and
moved TO the centre as Preble Key, cool
and confident stepped beside IT.
That will do said the voice, unemo-
tionally. Now we want Joaquin Ray
mon, Sydney Jack, French Pete, and
One-eyed Charley"
A vivid Renaissance of the former
night scene in the hollow of his own
and his companions voices, and the
flash" in the darkness flashed across
Key. With an instructive premonition, he
said quietly:
'sWho want them?"
THE State of California" said the
voice.
THE State of California must look fur
ther," said Key in his old pleasant voice.
There are no such names among my
''Who are you?"
1.-The President of the Sylvan Hollow
company, and these are my workmen."
There was a movement and sound OF
whispering in the hitherto dark and
silent circle.
"You have the papers to prove it?'
''Yes-in the cabin. And you?''
1--WE the warrant of the Sheriff Of
Sierra"
There was pause, and the voice con-
tinued:
How long have you been here?''
"Three weeks. I came here the day OF
the fire and took UP this claim.
There was no other house here?'
'"There were ruins; you can see them
still. 1t may have been burned-up
cabin"
The voice disengaged itself from the
vague background and came slowly for
1T was a den of thieves! 1t was the
hiding 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 was laugh from Keys men.
but it was checked as the owner of the
voice slowly ranged up beside the burn
ing torch and they saw his face. 1t was
drawn and grim with the defeat of
Wont you come in and take some
thing?" said Key kindly.
''No. I'm sorry to have disturbed We
as it is. But I suppose it's all in the
days work. Good night. Forward there,
get."
The two torches danced forward, with
the tracing of vague shadows IN dim pro-
cession; there was CHATTER 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 a prescribed out
law and fugitive, he was henceforth for
ever safe in his claim and his discovery.
And yet oddly enough at that moment,
for the first time in three weeks, there
passed before his fancy with stirring
reproach a vision of the face that he
had seen at the window.
CTo be continued)