The San Francisco call., 1898-03-20

l didn't wait for a second command. Up went my hands, for I didn't know what sort of a scrape I had tumbled lnto
 'rThe next instant I saw that one Of the men was Geiger. The other was d much younger man-the same whom l had seen behind the stump at the Reg istration Flat camp. They stood there with guns up, one on each Slde or the narrow entrance of the cave.
 Two men in such a place could hold several hundred in check. But they had no need to fear me. l was more paralyZed than they were. Had they exercised ordinary precautions, they would have discovered my approach, for from the mouth of the cave they could command view of all the sur rounding country for miles.
 Well, what do you want here! sald Geiger.
 z" Nothing I answered. I was look ing around and lost my way. T could see that Geiger recognized me as the man he had seen in camp. But he was not entirely satisfied with my reason for nGsing around his cave. It looked a little as if I had been fol- lowing him. The life sentence in prison still hangs over him. There was re- ward offered for his capture, which IS still good. He knew all about this; ana so there were good reasons why ne should be afraid of spies.
 T didn't like the way the two men scrutinized me, and SO 1 tried to square myself.
 You don't seem to remember me, MT. Geiger?' said, boldly.
 ''The effect of this name upon the old man was startling. The younger man was startled, too. So it was evident to me that he knew all about Gelger record.
 "'Geiger?' said the old man, never lowering his gun; why do you call me that?'
 Then told him of some favors had once done him. He smiled. and told his chum that it was all right. He put down his gun and came forward ana shook hands.
 Very soon I had a good chance to look about me. The cave was Qulte large. how large I don't know, but Gel ger told me that a stream of water ran through the back of 1t.
 So, you see, we can't be starved out he said.
 From the main cave there were smaller side caves leading off dl1Ierent directions. Geiger and his chum had more guns in rocks around the walls or the cave. Geiger did not say so; put l am satisfied, from his remarks. that they could not be starved out, that ne has lot of provisions stored Tn ms cave and he must have ammunition Tn quantity.
 T noticed also lot of books and papers, quite a library The latest newspapers were not very old Each man had comfortable bed. There was Dutch oven in the cave and other facilities for cooking
 Just how we fell into talking about Geiger's past life I don't know. He told me that he had never been out Of California since the affair at Sher- wood Valley. He showed me a Dill of fare from the Russ House dated August 15, 1897. He also had pro- gramme of Wang which he had seen performed in a San Francisco theater
 When 1 expressed surprise at these Geiger laughed and said that he went to San Francisco whenever he felt in- clined.
 I was in Captain Lees office in San Francisco one day he said. when they were discussing the theft of some tools belonging to a surveying party It seemed queer for me to be there, but amusing
 Afterward I verified this statement py questioning men who were present Tn the office when the subject of these very stolen tools came up.
 "Geiger spoke to me about his cave