e, and then the defense had been exhausted.

Unless Skip appeared within a few seconds Sam would be deprived of his
liberty.

CHAPTER XXXII

ACQUITTED

If Skip had been an actor in a pantomime, and rehearsed the scene every
day for a week, he could not have arrived more precisely, than when he
made his appearance at the very moment Mr. Hunter was about to declare
the defense closed.

Sam and Fred sprang to their feet as he entered the door, and Joe
actually shouted, so great was his joy and relief; but he was speedily
made to understand by the officers that another breach of decorum as
flagrant would result in his expulsion from the court-room.

Following Skip came the constable leading Tim, who looked frightened and
pale. Mr. Hunter at once called the prisoner to the witness stand.

Not knowing that Gus had denied having seen the money, Tim soon said
enough to convict himself, and in a few moments was ready to confess
his share in the matter.

"I didn't take it," he said, whiningly. "Gus showed me the money here in
town an' told as how he'd sneaked it out of the pocket of a feller what
he found asleep on the mountain. He agreed that I could have half if I'd
go off somewhere with him."

"Where is he now?" Mr. Hunter asked.

"I don't know. When I went for some grub he was watchin' Fred Byram what
we caught followin' us."

"What had been done with the money?"

"He had all that was left but ten dollars, an' I was goin' to spend
that."

"What had Fred Byram done to you?"

"Tried to get the stuff, so's his chum wouldn't be sent to jail."

"How did he know you had the bills?"

"That's what puzzles me, 'less Gus give himself away to Skip Miller."

"Have you seen your friend since you left him to go in search of
provisions?"

"If I had he'd been used up pretty bad for runnin' off with the cash
after coaxin' me to leave town with him."

Very little more in the way of evidence was needed, and in a short time
Sam was told by the judge that there was nothing to show he was at fault
in the matter, except so far as being careless in lying down to sleep,
while having such an amount of money in his pocket.

With this slight reprimand he was discharged from custody, and Tim sent
to jail.

When the partners were in the street once more Joe found it almost
impossible to keep his joy within bounds. He acted in the most
extravagant manner until Fred reminded him that the people might think
he was intoxic