g by compelling obedience to the laws of their country, and were
always prepared to do their duty. At the suggestion of Jeff, they
questioned the men, who admitted their guilt, supplementing the
confession with another appeal for clemency. Without deigning a reply,
the officers slipped handcuffs upon them, and declining the invitation
to remain to supper, departed with their prisoners, whom they delivered
to the authorities at Dawson City on the following day. Since they had
admitted their guilt, our friends were not required to appear as
witnesses, and the case may be closed by the statement that Hardman and
Herzog received the full punishment which they deserved.

When the evening meal was finished, the men and boys remained outside
in the cool, clear air, the former smoking their pipes, and all
discussing the stirring events of the day. The boys confessed their
neglect in failing to make known the presence of Herzog in the
neighborhood, because the fact was driven from their minds by their
excitement over the discovery of gold.

"Had we done as we ought," said Frank, "it isn't likely this would have
happened."

"You are right," replied Jeff, "for we should have been more watchful."

"And wasn't it oursilves that was careless, anyway, in laying so much
wilth where any one could git at the same?" asked Tim.

"Yes," admitted the old miner, "but things are different here from what
they was in the early days in Californy, and you can see that these two
men are the only ones that would steal our stuff."

"At prisint they saam to be the only ones, but we can't be sure that
ithers wouldn't have tried to do the same."

"Well, boys," was the surprising announcement of Jeff Graham,
"to-morrow we leave this place for good and take the next steamer down
the Yukon for home; our hunt for gold is done!"

CHAPTER XXIV.

CONCLUSION.

There was little sleep that night in the cavern home of the
gold-seekers. The fact that the whole crop of the precious stuff was
the better part of a mile away in the mountains, even though apparently
safe, caused every one to feel uneasy. In addition was the announcement
of Jeff Graham, the leader, that their work in the Klondike region was
ended. In keeping with his habit of making known only that which was
necessary, he gave no explanation, and his friends were left to
speculate and surmise among themselves. All, however, suspected the
truth.

At early dawn Tim McCabe and the boys