lost the money."

"It wouldn't be a bad plan for us to walk to Blacktown over the same
path he took," Bill said. "Fred can show us the way."

"I don't believe they'll let me leave. The cashier seems to think I'm
concerned in the robbery."

"It won't take me long to tell him he don't run this place. I'll go to
Mr. Wright's house, find out when he's likely to be back, an' then tend
to the other matter. Joe, wait here."

The miner was not absent more than an hour, and when he returned the
others had come to the conclusion that Sam had lost the money before
reaching the coal vein.

"Mr. Wright has jest telegraphed that he's on his way to New York, so we
may not see him for two or three days. I've told the folks at the store
what's to be done, an' though there's some kickin' about Fred's leavin',
they don't dare to say very much."

Then the sad visaged party separated to get as much rest as possible,
and at early dawn the miners were at Mrs. Byram's again.

Believing Sam had traveled over nearly the same course as that taken by
he and Fred, the latter did his best to guide the searchers correctly.

"There's no use to hunt round very much till we strike the vein, for
there's where he missed the money, so we'd better travel at our best
gait to that place," Joe said, as he led the way with Fred by his side.

The sun had been above the horizon but a few moments when they reached
the scene of the discovery, and despite Sam's dangerous position Bill
insisted on viewing the out-cropping of coal.

"It's a true vein, there's no question of that," he said, after a
careful examination, "an' we must hustle to get the cash what's needed
to buy the property."

"I'd be willin' to give up my share if Sam was out of his scrape."

"You won't do any such foolish thing. We'll help the lad an' ourselves
at the same time, for there's a chance to get rich here which mustn't be
lost," and Bill covered the spur once more.

Now the search was begun. Fred led the way slowly, the others following
a short distance behind, and all three scrutinized the ground carefully.

Not a word was spoken by either until they were on the highway near
Blacktown, and then Bill said sadly:

"If it was lost somebody has found it, an' in case thieves run him down
it ain't likely they're going to be so foolish as to give us a chance to
get on their track."

"Where are we to go now?" Fred asked.

"We'll see a lawyer if there's one in the place, an' then